From Publishers Weekly
The concept of a book of poems based on the life of Weil (1909-1943) is intriguing. But excitement fades after reading a few pages. Biographical poetry, if it is to succeed as poetry, must reach beyond mere biography. Poet and subject must merge to express insights that might not be historically documented but are all the more valued for that very reason. Strickland ( Give the Body Back ) falls short on all counts. No speaker takes center stage, making it difficult for readers to locate themselves. Weil's own words, "actual or paraphrased," are italicized, but the two are not differentiated. In addition, there are passages from books and letters by J. M. Perrin, G. Thibon, Simone de Beauvoir, Gertrude Stein and others. Strickland's own voice is perhaps the most muddled of all. In a poem aptly titled "How You Are Withheld from Me" she begins: "Diffidence? Both of us. You raised / on some banner: the cerebral, intransigent / fragments of your life-- / your papers not published, not / together." By turns she addresses Weil, presents a personified voice of her subject and attempts a dialogue, forcing Weil to participate in this inanity.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
French philosopher Weil (1909-43) came to her philosophical and religious ideas through university studies, factory work, potato digging, socialism, pacifism, and a profound religious experience that led to her conversion to the Catholic faith. At age 34 she starved herself to death from compassion for the French suffering under German occupation. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death, poet-librarian Strickland has created a moving tribute. Arranged chronologically, Strickland's poems balance observations of the poet with her writings (in italics) arranged as poetry: (" A beautiful woman/ looking at the mirror may well believe/ the image is herself;/ an ugly one knows it is not "). They describe an awkward childhood and adolescence and Weil's experiences as a factory worker, philosophy student, feminist, and martyr. Strickland's style is sometimes unpoetically prosy and at other times achingly lovely. For collections of contemporary poetry, philosophy, or women's studies.
- Judy Clarence, California State Univ. Lib., Hayward
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
- Judy Clarence, California State Univ. Lib., Hayward
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
