When I took a course on poetry forms from Joanne Diaz, although she didn't share her own poetry with the class, she made her approach clear in her opening comments: one of the purposes of poetry is to slow the reader down. Readers who slow down and read Joanne's beautifully constructed, deeply thoughtful poetry, will be richly rewarded.
The cover photo--an arresting, vaguely disturbing image of the familiar which invites our close attention and leaves room for our involvement and interpretation--telegraphs what's inside. Taking off from the world we all know or can easily imagine, exploiting the tension between experience and metaphor, Joanne's poems thankfully make narrative sense at the same time as they manipulate English (e.g., flamenco/flamingo) to deliver delicious, often startling shifts of perspective.
After reading, "Before it is seared into wood-wild rage,/ a violin lives as both horse and tree." I will never look at a violin the same way. And despite recalling Joanne's caution that the poet and the poem's persona should never be assumed to be the same, I can't help but feel I have been given genuine glimpses into her own personal family and love relationships, glimpses that moved me to my own reflections. One thing I know for sure: in the last poem, Epigram for the Boston Accent, Joanne Diaz qua Joanne Diaz is firmly on the page!
I bought The Lessons because I know Joanne Diaz; I'll be keeping the book because I want to read it again and again.
Enjoy fast, FREE delivery, exclusive deals and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
In a deeply emotional novel of family, cultural heritage, and forgiveness, estranged sisters wrestle with the choices they’ve made and confront circumstances beyond their control. | Learn more
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
