Winner of the l996 National Poetry Series, judged and selected by William Matthews.
"This collection of beguiling poems . . . takes as its avenue into experience the palpable, quotidian objects of the intimate environment. A barometer, an arrangement of flowers, a vase, a carpet, a pyramid of oranges in a city marketplace are seen and then entered as one might enter the action of a film. . . . There is something of the child's wondrous way of seeing the world that electrifies." — Boston Globe "Jeanne Beaumont's poems are smart and full of feeling, heartbreakingly in love with the snares and clarities of the language she writes in, and lit throughout by a kind of wry wonder." — William Matthews "How rare to discover so sly and disarming, so luminous and compelling a debut." — David St. John
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
In this first volume, a strong new voice full of wit and clarity offers a richness of language, a pleasure taken in the act of description. Beaumont's themes are often chosen with the same zeal a young couple she describes share for a "magic" and evidently quite costly rug. It is "chosen not with taste/ but hunger itself for the tale/ the weaver works into each carpet." And each poem works its way not as a pronouncement on a particular state of affairs but enacts the gestures described in a physical, material way. A poem entitled "City" performs its subject like a kind of rheostat: "Out of the great blasted hole?/ which had shaken their bearing walls,/ which had drilled them from sleep?/ it reached, square upon square,/ where all that could happen would happen,/ faithful to the blueprint." With a cool, determined eye, Beaumont divulges the troublesome secret: as with all things, this "city" is soon taken for granted, and its inhabitants are found "writing the return address/ as though it always existed." Recommended for large poetry collections.?Steven R. Ellis, Pennsylvania State Univ. Libs., University Park
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
How rare to discover so sly and disarming, so luminous and compelling a debut. -- David St. John
Jeanne Beaumont's poems are smart and full of feeling, heartbreakingly in love with the snares and clarities of the language she writes in, and lit throughout by a kind of wry wonder. -- William Matthews
This collection of beguiling poems . . . takes as its avenue into experience the palpable, quotidian objects of the intimate environment. A barometer, an arrangement of flowers, a vase, a carpet, a pyramid of oranges in a city marketplace are seen and then entered as one might enter the action of a film. . . . There is something of the child's wondrous way of seeing the world that electrifies. -- Boston Globe
Jeanne Beaumont's poems are smart and full of feeling, heartbreakingly in love with the snares and clarities of the language she writes in, and lit throughout by a kind of wry wonder. -- William Matthews
This collection of beguiling poems . . . takes as its avenue into experience the palpable, quotidian objects of the intimate environment. A barometer, an arrangement of flowers, a vase, a carpet, a pyramid of oranges in a city marketplace are seen and then entered as one might enter the action of a film. . . . There is something of the child's wondrous way of seeing the world that electrifies. -- Boston Globe
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More About the Author
Jeanne Marie Beaumont was born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs and moved to New York City in 1983. She is author of three books of poetry and currently teaches at the Unterberg Poetry Center of the 92nd Street Y and in the Stonecoast MFA Program at the University of Southern Maine.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem of a Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Placebo Effects: Poems (Paperback)
It is rare to come upon a contemporary collection of poetry, let alone a first book, that is as intelligent, exquisitely crafted, and profoundly moving as Placebo Effects. Any reader who loves poetry and is disappointed by the proliferation of ordinary writing will be thrilled with this splendid book and will instantly become a fan of Jeanne Marie Beaumont. Highly recommended.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Poet To Watch,
By A Customer
This review is from: Placebo Effects: Poems (Paperback)
Jeanne Marie Beaumont's Placebo Effects is one of the best books of poems I have read in recent years. Beaumont's work is intelligent, experimental, playful, and always satisfying. She is a poet to watch. I predict that we'll be hearing much more about her in the future.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Stunning Work of Importance!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Placebo Effects: Poems (National Poetry Series) (Hardcover)
Ms. Beaumont has risen to the challenge of documenting the postmodern of our everyday lives in this intelligent and profound book. The poems in Placebo Effects will reverberate through the centuries. Buy this book and be blessed with a unique inspiration!
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