Customer Reviews

The Routledge Anthology of Cross-Gendered Verse

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I guarantee this book will make you think differently than ever before. Not only does it give an outstanding representation of poetry that fits in the category of cross-gendered verse, but the introduction and conclusion provide a clear-cut, straightforward analysis and context in which to read the poems. This anthology cannot be compared to anything else, because it is so original. I have not found anything like it before, and yet after I read it, I agreed entirely. The editors explain exactly what cross-gendered verse is, and why it is not simply "cross-dressed." I have noticed on the internet that two universities are using the anthology as part of their classes. However, these universities are in Sweden and England. I hope that it is a result of not putting course information on the web, rather than not using the book in the States. This book would be a wonderful addition to any gender-studies, literary criticism, or poetry course. The writing is reader-friendly, as well as profoundly insightful. This would also be a great addition to your personal library, if you like new and refreshing viewpoints to add to your understanding of the world and literature. I recommend reading the essay at the end of the book before reading the poems. It provides the backgrounded needed to understand the cross-gendered concept, and why the editors chose the poems that appear in the book. The only qualm that I have with the book is that there is not more. Although the subject is covered well, I think that an in-depth extensive discussion of this concept could cover a whole book, itself. However, because this is an anthology, it is understandable why the essay is not longer. I only hope that the editors come out with a second volume.