Women Poets of China (New Directions Paperbook) [Paperback]

Ling Chung (Editor), Kenneth Rexroth (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation)

About the Author

Poet-essayist Kenneth Rexroth (1905-1982) was a high-school dropout, disillusioned ex-Communist, pacifist, anarchist, rock-climber, critic and translator, mentor, Catholic-Buddhist spiritualist and a prominent figure of San Francisco's Beat scene. He is regarded as a central figure of the San Francisco Renaissance and is among the first American poets to explore traditional Japanese forms such as the haiku.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: New Directions (February 17, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811208214
• ISBN-13: 978-0811208215
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Chinese

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unashamed, direct, honest, on par with women poets today., July 16, 2000

By 

yanipoo - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women Poets of China (New Directions Paperbook) (Paperback)

This collection was a huge surprise. Unlike the steryo type of what women in China was like, subservient to husbands they are forced to marry, with little thoughts and feelings for themselves.

These women poets starting from 1644-1911, shout out thier love of thier partners, discuss drinking, sex, lust, romance, infactutation and even loving other women.

The metaphors are soft and light at the first reading, yet if you look deeper you realise some of the subjects are far from the softness the poetry is conveyed in.

A good histrical text on Chinese Women and a good read. As the previous reviewer said, buy two and give one to a friend.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest collaborative translations ever, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Women Poets of China (New Directions Paperbook) (Paperback)

An exciting selection of poems by known and previously unknown women poets. Ling Chung's scholarship and sensitivity gave the late great Kenneth Rexroth the insight and inspiration to outdo himself here. Buy two copies and give one to a friend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL!!, January 17, 2006

By 

C. Chartier (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Women Poets of China (New Directions Paperbook) (Paperback)

Probably my favorite of the asian poetry books that I've read. Thanks for the compilation, Kenneth.