Customer Reviews

Spring Garden: New and Selected Poems

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Fred Chappell has defined himself as a quirky, original voice in American poetry over the years. His Selected Poems is no exception. He has written a prologue to the whole book and one for each section, along with an epilogue for the collection, all of which creates a loose narrative out of nearly thirty years of an astounding poet's career.

I advise any serious reader of poetry and/or southern literature to purchase this book. The poems range from erudite to earthy to witty to just plain silly. Chappell can do it all--from formal verse to experimental free verse--and he does it all masterfully. He certainly deserves his reputation (Bollingen winner, T. S. Eliot Award winner, and NC poet laureate). In fact, I think it's time someone gave him a Pulitzer or National Book Award.

Chappell's Spring Garden collection of poems is made for poets! His hilarious epigrams poke fun at himself and others. Among amazingly tender and beautifully serene poems include "Abandoned Schoolhouse at Long Branch" and "Humility." He shows his poetic genius with "Narcissus and Echo." Chappell is truly one of the geniuses of modern poetry. Own this book! It already is a classic.