Customer Reviews

lucky wreck (Autumn House Poetry)

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With much contemporary poetry moving towards obtuse language and cool emotional distance, we are lucky indeed to find LUCKY WRECK. In this book, Ada Limón reminds us of the first time we fell in love a poem, and why--as her poems speak directly to us, with nothing in the way, while exploring subjects worth caring about: love, loss, death, joy, family, the self, the soul, and the world--all the big ticket stuff. These poems are deeply generous and moving in the way they risk honesty and extend themselves to the reader. While the poems often start in a personal place, she inevitably propels them, and us, into a universal truth through humor and voracious attention to beauty. She shuns sentimentality, yet conveys an infinite tenderness for our species, and others, in all their glorious absurdity. From the greatest to the least, there is no subject in which she does not discover some surprising worth--from ladybugs to sunken ships to feral cats--nothing's too big or too small to show us what it means to be alive, and in the world.

Fearlessly written in a voice that sparks curiosity and leads readers down the path of metaphoric discovery, this book is unique and energetic. The poems within are edgy and original. This is truly a daring, one-of-a-kind effort, angry at times, yet exhibiting almost childlike innocence and inquiry at others. There is something strangely familiar, and almost scarily honest, in this.

Wow. In the first eighteen pages she took me from laughing out loud to having tears roll down my face. Bravo Ada!

Perhaps the hardest feat of any good writer is telling the truth. This book - every single piece - does just that. And it's not complicated or arbitrary. If you've ever felt like you don't really understand poetry, then take a look at this little book. The light bulb will go off. It's not that it's poetry for beginners; it's just that it represents how clear, lyrical and unambiguous good poems can be. There's a kind of magical focus to it. Everything seems just so, but still real and breathing. None of it ever feels contrived.

What a wonderful mind, I thought. How curious and thoughtful and full of life.

excellent work. i had become prejudiced against contemporary poetry until i read Lucky Wreck. it opened the door for me and assured me that there is such thing as imagination in the 21st century. this work bridged a gap that i didn't realize existed between poetry and music.

I used to fancy myself a poet until I came across Ms. Limon's work, because, ladies and gentlemen, this is how it's done. Simultaneously a wonderful way to fall to pieces and a subtle process of regeneration. Having been fortunate enough to hear her read on tour, I think its remarkable how her voice is embedded on the page. Highly recommended.

Lucky me, Ms. Limon agrees to write her soul upon a page for me to read. Lucky me, I have had the opportunity to hear the author read her work. Lucky me, her poetry has invaded me. Lucky me, poetry is young, fresh and alive within Ada Limon. Lucky you for buying lucky wreck.