Customer Reviews

Surrealist Poetry in English (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics)

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Although Surrealism was a movement whose originators were primarily French, it had a small number of followers in England in the 1930s and its influence was soon felt in America and subequent generations of anglophone poets. After an introduction in which he gives a complete history of the movement from its first rallies to its ultimate demise and beyond, Edward B. Germain unites all the poets in between whose work contains even the slightest trace of the "surreal." Thus, the book is just as eclectic as it is expansive, ranging from those who were actual adherents, or who have been forgotten in all annals except for the annals of the Marvelous, to others whose inclusion is rather questionable--Dylan Thomas, for instance--and seems to suggest that Germain, faced with the lack of writings which truly fit the description of the book's title, chose to broaden his definition and even insert a few foreign-language translations. Anyone familar with Philip Lamantia's poetry will notice that it is glaringly absent here, due to copyright problems. However, the anthology contains enough gems throughout to make it worthwhile for devotees of surrealism.

I had Dr. Germain as a teacher about a year ago at Phillips Academy, Andover, and after my first day of classes, I knew this man was a genius. Throughout the year, I improved my writing as well as my knowledge and desire to learn. He is quite possibily the best teacher I have ever had. I heard he is retiring this year, and I wish him all the best. In case he reads this, Dr. G, thanks a lot for everything.

Edward Germain should be up there with Shakespeare and Joyce...his descritpion and research of surrealism is beyond his days.

Vroom! Vroom! My engine starts. I feel my tires screech out of the driveway and onto the highway. I see the open road ahead and "push the pedal to the metal." With police on my tail, I do a u-turn at 100 mph!

I turn out of control like a daredevil. Man, look out! I slam into a police car and get a bruise. My driver feels like he's sitting on top of the world! My lights are slammed to the point they don' t work any more. My number is America and I bump the other cars off the road.

Aaaah! Crash! I feel heat! Fire! I explode! My driver is taken to the hospital! Some words rhyme and others don't!

Six months later I'm going to get a new owner. But no. It is the same one. Oh well, maybe he has learned a lesson. My fellow cars will be amazed. I am magnificent car! I am outstanding car! I have Fame!

Yes!