"No one else has ever made avant-garde, experimental poems so attractive to both the general and the special reader."—Randall Jarrell
The one hundred and fifty-six poems here, arranged in twelve sections and introduced by E. E. Cummings's biographer, include his most popular poems, spanning his earliest creations, his vivacious linguistic acrobatics, up to his last valedictory sonnets. Also featured are thirteen drawings, oils, and watercolors by Cummings, most of them never before published. The selection includes most of the favorites plus many fresh and surprising examples of Cummings's several poetic styles. The corrected texts established by George J. Firmage have been used throughout.
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About the Author
E. E. Cummings (1894-1962) was among the most influential, widely read, and revered modernist poets. His many awards included an Academy of American Poets Fellowship, two Guggenheim Fellowships, and the Bollingen Prize. Among his many volumes are The Enormous Room and Tulips & Chimneys.
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E. E. Cummings (1894-1962) was among the most influential, widely read, and revered modernist poets. His many awards included an Academy of American Poets Fellowship, two Guggenheim Fellowships, and the Bollingen Prize. Among his many volumes are The Enormous Room and Tulips & Chimneys.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This review is from a strictly prose guy, as poetry usually goes right over my head. In my efforts to understand poetry, I have discovered that the work of e.e. cummings breaks through the stylistic barriers that make many people shy away from poetry altogether. cummings' use of bizarre spacing, punctuation, and phrasings keeps the reader away from the "sing-song" routine that tends to damage the credibility of many a poem, and cummings uses the art of style to say many things and make many points in just a few words. The most fascinating aspect of cummings' work is letting the small number of words in a poem really sink in until you gain many insights. This book usefully arranges cummings' most noteworthy poems into categories so you can more easily dwell on his major areas of subject matter. cummings did not live the hard life of many noteworthy poets, so a good number of his poems are musings on abstract concepts like life, love, mythology, and mortality. However, his much sharper observations on war, prostitution, politics, and the dark side of urban life can be truly shocking once you delve into their deeper meanings. Contemplating the title of this review, which is also the first line of the poem on page 181 of this book, will help any poetry-fearing reader to dive into cummings' world.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Willow
Format:Paperback
After being introduced slightly to e. e. cummings in High School, I was intrigued by his experimental and original style. I bought this book soon after. With a wonderful selection of his amazing poetry, small biographies, and a few of his paintings and drawings, one can tap into the genius that is e. e. cummings. This is the perfect beginners' book to the wonderous world of e. e. cummings.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've always liked cumming's poetry, so perhaps I'm more than a little biased, but this is a particularly lovely collection. The illustrations by the poet add a new dimension to the already luminous poetry, and the commentary gives one something of an impression of cummings' state of being at the time of the poem's conception. I'd have to reccomend this to anyone who liked even one of cummings' poems.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solidarity with one's soul
There are certain books one must read before exiting this planetSelected Poems and this is one of them. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Poet
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Just great. My girlfriend was really excited when she got it. She's a big Cummings' fan and she loved it
Published 4 months ago by Agustin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A poetry newbie
I just started getting into poetry. This collection of poems is great to the beginner because they are mostly short and relatable. Also, I love the cover of this book. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Selected Poems by E. E. Cummings
Given as a gift and I got a great big kiss for it. Nothing else needs to be said. Great book!
Published 5 months ago by James P. Canning
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but missing some of my favorites
I love e.e. cummings, and these poems are great. It is the first collection of his that I have purchased, but I am a little disappointed that some of my faves are not included.
Published 5 months ago by ckeller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Buy!
This book came in as I had expected it too be as well as on time! Very happy with this purchase!!
Published 6 months ago by Beth
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome
I got this book very fast and in PERFECT condition. It is great. My only complaint is it leaves out my favorite poem, but definitely was worth the buy.
Published 8 months ago by Hellochelsea
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real treasure' what if the poems are the best he has to give
This selection of around 150 of Cummings more than two- thousand poems contains those I remember from the anthologies, and my guess is most of the other truly memorable ones. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Shalom Freedman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Divine
This book is so unlike any other poetry I have read. It has a bit of biography and several of E.E. Cummings' drawings. I find it truly divine. E.E. Read more
Published on March 18, 2011 by D. Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful print, excellent selection of poems
The cover of this book alone is enough to want to purchase it, and the selection of poems inside is excellent. There are a number of cummings' most recognized poems (e.g. Read more
Published on February 10, 2011 by Bambina Piccolina
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