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Spoon River Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions: Poetry) by [Edgar Lee Masters]

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Edgar Lee Masters

Spoon River Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions: Poetry) Kindle Edition

by Edgar Lee Masters (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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In Spoon River Anthology, the American poet Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950) created a series of compelling free-verse monologues in which former citizens of a mythical Midwestern town speak touchingly from the grave of the thwarted hopes and dream of their lives. First published in book form in 1915, the Anthology was the crowning achievement of Masters' career as a poet, and a work that would become a landmark of 20th-century American literature.
In these pages, no less than 214 individual voices are heard — some in no more than a dozen moving lines. Alternately plaintive, anguished, enigmatic, angry, and contemptuous, the voices of Spoon River, although distinctively small-town Americans, evoke themes of love and hope, disappointment and despair that are universal in their resonance. This American classic is reprinted here from the authoritative 1915 edition.

Print length

147 pages
Language

English
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On Kindle Scribe
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

March 2, 2012
File size

640 KB
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From the brand

Debuting in 1990, the Thrift Editions library of classic literature is a top choice for teachers, students, librarians, and recreational readers around the world. Dover’s longstanding mission of exceptional value has consistently offered excellence in classic fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry.

Dover Thrift Editions are low priced, compact (5"x8"), complete and unabridged.
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- Psychology, Religion, Science,
- SciFi/Fantasy, Short Stories, Speeches/Quotations
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Are there any collections of stories or poetry in the Dover Thrift Editions?

In addition to single title books, Dover offers books of anthologies in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Check out our Thrift Editions of short stories, literary collections, poetry, gothic and horror, SciFi/Fantasy, crime/mystery/thrillers and more. Happy Reading!

What formats are the Thrift Editions available in?

All are available in an easy to carry paperback version and most titles are available for the Kindle e-reader.
Literary Collections
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From the Publisher

Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters Dover Thrift Editions Poetry

This American classic is reprinted here from the authoritative 1915 edition.

In all, Masters published twelve plays, twenty-one books of poetry, six novels and six biographies, including those of Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Vachel Lindsay, and Walt Whitman.

In Spoon River Anthology, the American poet Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950) created a series of compelling free-verse monologues.

A landmark of 20th-century American literature: a series of over 200 compelling free-verse monologues in which former citizens of a mythical Midwestern town speak touchingly from the grave of the thwarted hopes and dreams of their lives.

“In time you shall see Fate approach you In the shape of your own image in the mirror.”

“Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”

“Back of every soldier is a woman.”

Dovers Thrift Edition Library of classic literature - a long standing mission of exceptional value

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In Spoon River Anthology, the American poet Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950) created a series of compelling free-verse monologues in which former citizens of a mythical Midwestern town speak touchingly from the grave of the thwarted hopes and dream of their lives. First published in book form in 1915, the Anthology was the crowning achievement of Masters' career as a poet, and a work that would become a landmark of 20th-century American literature.
In these pages, no less than 214 individual voices are heard—some in no more than a dozen moving lines. Alternately plaintive, anguished, enigmatic, angry, and contemptuous, the voices of Spoon River, although distinctively small-town Americans, evoke themes of love and hope, disappointment and despair that are universal in their resonance. This American classic is reprinted here from the authoritative 1915 edition.

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00A7362KC
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications (March 2, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 2, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 640 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 147 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #821,757 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #90 in Poetry About Specific Places
- #320 in Contemporary Poetry
- #416 in Poetry About Places (Books)

Customer Reviews:
188 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

188 global ratings

5 star		70%
4 star		21%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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patrick j quinn

Wonderful

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 7, 2022

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Homespun

Helpful

An interesting and unique collection of free verse monologues about the former residents of the mythical place Spoon River.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 26, 2014

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This classic book was reprinted from the original 1915 edition. The Spoon River Anthology by the late poet Edgar Lee Masters has become a classic and must reading for anyone who is interested in poetry. I was only slightly knowledgeable on this unique Spoon River book of free-verse monologues before reading this text.

The late American poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote this interesting story in which the dead citizens of a mythical Midwestern town (Spoon River) speak from the grave. There are more than 215 individuals who speak in this volume. The wide variety of emotions and thoughts of these dead people are revealed. There are themes of sadness, anger, love and hope in these voices from the grave.

Even though I do not like the so-called "modern free verse" poetry form; nevertheless, I found these monologues of voices from the grave interesting and thought provoking. This is a very unique book and many of the stories will make you think about your own life. If you are into classic literature and poetry this book should be on your must read list.

Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior's poetic tribute).

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Anne B.

Good source of acting monologues

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 14, 2016

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I got this as a text book for an acting class. We were supposed to use the poems as theatrical monologues. They have rich materials for learning to portray various types of roles.

The thing is a bit dated -- having been written in 1915 about fictional people who lived in the 19th century, but still very usable for monologues.

It is a bit of a downer, as it's all epitaphs -- what would have been written on people's graves -- and mostly they have a lot of regrets and resentments. Still it's useful for an acting class

Helpful

Edav

I loved reading this novel approach to examining the lives and ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 19, 2017

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I loved reading this novel approach to examining the lives and thoughts of the people who lived, loved, and passed on in our typical American small-towns. This book would be an excellent companion-read to "Winesburg, Ohio" and "Our Town", or addition to your personal library. The trio would also make a terrific gift to anyone who appreciates American Literature.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

A. Devlin

Once you visit Spoon River, you never really leave.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 6, 2015

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100 years later and Edgar Lee Masters classic is as powerful and moving as when it was published. The entire book can be read in an hour, but if you are like most people you will go back and read it again , many times.
I recommend the 1920 MacMillian Co Edition which includes ALL the poems and the original artwork by Oliver Herford and layout as intended by the Author.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Diogo Segovia

the ever-looming presence of death in the piece is interwoven like a character and adds a level of depth to ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 16, 2017

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This is a very meditative book. Though each epigram is lovely and revealing, the ever-looming presence of death in the piece is interwoven like a character and adds a level of depth to the body of work. A classic work of poetry and an inspiring piece. Maybe the beginning of post-modernism.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 20, 2019

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I had no idea what the book was about prior to purchase and now I know and I am very pleased.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 8, 2016

Verified Purchase

I have read this book three times. The first in my 30s and the most recent in my 60s. This last time was the best since I am now closer to understanding "the end." This book reads fast as well. After you have read it go to the Spoon River Festival in central Illinois in the Fall and find the cemetery. It does exist.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

maurice baker

Spoon River Anthology

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

I came across this book by accident after reading one of the poems from it in another book and was surprised at how striking and fresh this collection was. The conceit of the book is that the inhabitants of Spoon River cemetery recall, in very plain and honest language, their lives and loves. Many of the characters must surely have been based on real people, including the relatives who were still living. Apparently, although Spoon River is a fictional place, it was an amalgam of three towns Edgar Lee Masters knew well and, as a small town lawyer, that must have included the intimate lives of many inhabitants.

One person found this helpful

Robpunx

Beautiful work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 23, 2013

Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book / collection of poems. It has a strong anthropological slant to it, where you get to know everyone in the town through what their own ghost is telling you It's certainly very interesting and will challenge some of your outlooks on life, however, it requires dedication and you'll find yourself flipping back-and-forth trying to put together other pieces of the story of people lives and what really happened.

Classic literature :)

One person found this helpful

Susy London

Easy to read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 23, 2021

Verified Purchase

Nice relaxing read with a hint of irony. Lovely!

Robin D Low

A great book of epitaphs.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I'm reading it bit by bit and enjoying it very much. Great value copy.

dclarke

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 31, 2016

Verified Purchase

fine

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Black History

American History/History

Biography and Autobiography

Classic Novels

Crime, Mystery and Thrillers

Gothic and Horror

Are there any collections of stories or poetry in the Dover Thrift Editions?

What formats are the Thrift Editions available in?

Literary Collections

Philosophy

Plays

Poetry

Political Science

Religion

SciFi and Fantasy

Short Stories

Speeches and Quotations

From the Publisher

This American classic is reprinted here from the authoritative 1915 edition.

In Spoon River Anthology, the American poet Edgar Lee Masters (1869–1950) created a series of compelling free-verse monologues.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Product details

Videos

About the author

Edgar Lee Masters

Customer reviews

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