Customer Reviews

The Walking-Away World (New Directions Paperbook)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a fan of Kenneth Patchen's work since I purchased two of his picture poem post cards at an antique store way back in 1970 for .15 cents each. I especially love his use of color, so you can imagine my shock when I received "The Walking Away World" in the mail and discovered ALL of the picture poems in this book are printed in black-and-white!!! I have just placed an order for another Patchen book, "What would we do without us?" and I'm hoping this one is in color. At least the description of this book mentions the vibrant colors of his pictures. I did not see any mention in the description of "the Walking Away World" that all the prints are in black-and-white. I will be returning the "Walking Away..." book for a refund. It's just not right! What a slap in the face for the late, great Mr. Patchen.

I have been a fan even longer than the first reviewer, since 1959 when I first heard him on "Cool Bill" in Denver and subsequently found his books in a musty old bookstore.

I was also VERY disappointed...if only they had charged a little more, printed a little less or at least printed SOME pages in color, it wouldn't feel so bleak...but you know, Patchen is bleak even in the middle of joy and I am happy to have all these delightful and insightful thoughts and visions from an author beginning to get his due. I'm giving it four stars to jack up the overall rating. There, I admit it. I would give it a 2 for no color but a 5 for the book being just chock full of Kenneth Patchen.