This volume brings together BODY RAGS and MORTAL ACTS, MORTAL WORDS and THE PAST, three books that are central to the life’s work of one of the masters of contemporary poetry. Included here are many of Galway Kinnell’s best-loved and most anthologized poems. Kinnell has revised some of the poems for this new edition, and comments on his working method in a prefatory note.
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The reissue of three books from the wide-ranging Kinnell, published in 1968, 1989, and 1985, respectively. Add to his two classics: The Book of Nightmares (1973) and The Avenue Bearing the Initial of Christ into the New World (1974).
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Galway Kinnell is a former MacArthur Fellow and has been state poet of Vermont. In 1982 his Selected Poems won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. For many years he was the Erich Maria Remarque Professor of Creative Writing at New York University. He is currently a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. For thirty-five years--from WHAT A KINGDOM IT WAS to THE BOOK OF NIGHTMARES to THREEE BOOKS--Galway Kinnell has been enriching American poetry, not only by his poems but also by his teaching and his powerful public readings.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worth it for "The Past",
By A Customer
This review is from: Three Books: Body Rags/ Mortal Acts Mortal Words/The Past (Paperback)
With all respect to "TTaylor" in the other review, "The Past" is hardly an earlier work, as Kinnell was near 60 when he wrote it. I am not sure these books belong together, but I believe "The Past" to be at least as good as Kinnell's most famous book, "The Book of Nightmares." I also think, like the latter, it's his most consistent book. And, in my opinion, it is a mature work. His work since has been mixed with occasional masterpieces, which is quite allowable for a poet (not every poem must be a masterpiece). Still, I enjoy the consistency of "The Past" over the 90's poems which so often seem to be following Sharon Olds' prosaic confessionalism too closely. In any case, do not limit yourself to "Nightmares" or "Selected Poetry." This book is one of the finest in late 20th century American poetry.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, thought-provoking poetry,
By ttaylor@truman.edu (Kirksville, MO) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Three Books: Body Rags/ Mortal Acts Mortal Words/The Past (Paperback)
Galway Kinnell's poetry exudes the confidence of a master poet and his words drip with meaning. These are poems which you can sink your teeth into, reveling in their introspection and beauty. Kinnell is one of the most influential poets of this generation and continues to produce a substantial bulk of work. As a wannabe poet myself, I read the poetry in a very envious manner. The ability to produce images and meaning in the way Kinnell does, denotes a certain amount of power I hope to possess. The 3 books in question are earlier works which established Mr. Kinnell as a "well-known" poet. The compilation effectively showcases the breadth and depth of his power. You will not be disappointed with this work.
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In the evening haze darkening on the hills, purple of the eternal, a last bird crosses over, 'flop flop,' adoring only the instant. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
white flash sparkled, frog pond Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Henry David, James Wright, Oswald Street, Richard Hugo New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 20
books:
See all 20 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- Body Rags: Poems by Galway Kinnell in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- Villon: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics) by Francois Villon in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Selected Poems (Penguin Modern Classics) by Rainer Maria Rilke in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- A New Selected Poems by Galway Kinnell in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Mother Jones (Importance of) by Madelyn Horton in Back Matter
See all 20 books this book cites
- The Language of Life by Bill Moyers in Back Matter
- My Monastery Is a Minivan: Where the Daily Is Divine and the Routine Becomes Prayer by Denise Roy in Back Matter
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