From a Three-Cornered World: New and Selected Poems (Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies) [Paperback]

James Masao Mitsui (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997 | Series: Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies

From a Three-Cornered World presents 60 poems by James Mitsui, 25 of them new. His poetry has, over two decades' time and three previous volumes, asserted a strong and significant voice within the growing tradition of Asian American literature.

Mitsui's poems contain a family history of immigration to the Pacific Northwest from Japan and the assimilation of American culture over three generations, including the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II. His vignettes of family life are gems of bittersweet humor and tenacious affection, revealing a deft and earthy poetic charm. Mitsui ranges over many subjects and deals with major themes in language that is spare yet lyrical, expressing historical insight in profoundly moving imagery.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press; First edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295975989
• ISBN-13: 978-0295975986
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,663,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Wonderful Collection of Poems, July 18, 2000

By 

Justin Evans (West Wendover, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From a Three-Cornered World: New and Selected Poems (Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies) (Paperback)

From a Three Cornered World takes poems from Jim Mitsui's three previous books and adds them to three sections of new poems. Jim Mitsui, is of course of Japanese descent, but the poet is also a Washington state poet, and an American poet. From the beginning, Mitsui shows careful attention to the things which influence his life. Jim Mitsui takes the reader on a guided tour of his family and his wonderfully rich view of the world. The reader sees the author's world from a multitude of perspectives ranging from childhood to career to friendships to love. Add to this that the poet has a magnificent sense of personal history, that is a personal perspective of history, and you cannot go wrong. Being fortunate enough to listen to Mitsui both read and talk about his poetry, I have come away with a sense that he wants me to discover rather than be told what to expect from these poems. Often influenced by paintings and the wonderful minutia of everyday life, I find myself reading his poem, "Rationale," again and again. The two line ars poetica is as powerful as that of Neruda. Quite simply, this is a fascinating collection of poetry of which I shall never tire.

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Of Poems Is The BEST, October 31, 2007

By 

Karen Spitler "Evan S." (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From a Three-Cornered World: New and Selected Poems (Scott and Laurie Oki Series in Asian American Studies) (Paperback)

(Im Using My Mom's Amazon Account to write this reveiw)

:D James Mitsui Is actually my grandpa :)

(my mom is his daughter)

umm yea!

you should buy my grandpa's book, its seriosly the awsomest!

(idk i coulod probly get some signed copies if ya'll want)

umm yea

..

Buy My Grandpa's Book!

You'll Lie It :)