Eratosphere Forums - Metrical Poetry, Free Verse, Fiction, Art, Critique, Discussions Able Muse - a review of poetry, prose and art

Forum Left Top

Notices

Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Unread 07-12-2022, 10:37 AM
Julie Steiner Julie Steiner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 8,307
Default Diane Seuss, Frank: Sonnets

Has anyone here read this? Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/frank-sonnets...dp/1644450453/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Unread 07-12-2022, 10:40 AM
Jonathan James Henderson Jonathan James Henderson is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 293
Default

I have not, but the fact that there's an entire book of sonnets out there that won a Pulitzer along with a host of other poetry prizes in this day-and-age makes me want to read it immediately. Thanks for the heads up as I'll probably grab the Kindle edition.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Unread 07-12-2022, 11:38 AM
Susan McLean Susan McLean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Iowa City, IA, USA
Posts: 10,090
Default

Jonathan, before you do anything hasty, look at the "Look inside" option on Amazon. You will see that the poems do not seem to be metrical or rhyme. So, if sonnets that don't do either appeal to you, go ahead.

Susan
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Unread 07-12-2022, 01:01 PM
Orwn Acra Orwn Acra is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 2,337
Default

Jonathan, you might find Terrance Hayes's American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin more to your liking. It was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2016. He wrote all 70 in a span of 200 days, so they're not all great, some in fact are bad, but they are frequently entertaining and they range from traditional to experimental, though they are all 14 lines.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Unread 07-13-2022, 10:54 AM
Jonathan James Henderson Jonathan James Henderson is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 293
Default

@Susan: I do not mind un-rhymed, un-metrical poetry in general, and don't demand them (even if I prefer them, all things being equal; which they never are) in forms like the sonnet. Thanks for the caution, though.

@Orwn: Thanks for the additional suggestion. I've written around 50 sonnets in my lifetime, many of which I spent weeks on from initial conception to the final polishing; it amazes me how some possess the facility to write so many so quickly! It also sounds like an interesting project that I will check out.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Unread 07-14-2022, 01:28 PM
John Riley John Riley is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 6,241
Default

I've read this and her earlier books. No, they are not formal sonnets. So, if that is the deal breaker step back. Seuss is very much a contemporary poet. I read once where, when asked what she thought is essential to be a poet, she responded "memory." I don't agree with that. I am pretty tired of the autopoliticalsexual poetry so prevalent these days. I understand why it's out there, why it may even be necessary at this time, but it doesn't usually make for great poetry. In the end, it's so self-centered it makes me tired. It's sort of like being trapped by a person with a giant ego and genius gift for gab at a party you didn't want to go to in the first place. Seuss is from that school, but I have to say is better than most. I know she's been influenced by Gerald Stern's American Sonnets, which manages to be drawn from experience without making us look at his fingernails, or genitals, and I think it serves her well. Her best book is The Four-Legged Girl, IMO, although, as said, I'm pretty fried on that type of poetry.

She did win the Pulitizer with Frank, btw.

My half-penny, FWIW
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Unread 07-14-2022, 06:13 PM
Julie Steiner Julie Steiner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 8,307
Default

Thanks very much, friends.

I once heard a drunk guy opine that there is no such thing as bad or boring sex. Some poets seem to be of the same opinion. I guess I'm about to find out if Diane Seuss is one of them.

I don't mind free verse, if it's good. Can't write it myself, but I'm not opposed to those who can.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Unread 07-15-2022, 07:38 AM
Roger Slater Roger Slater is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York
Posts: 16,476
Default

Julie, are you sure the drunk guy wasn't talking about pizza?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Unread 07-15-2022, 08:40 AM
Allen Tice's Avatar
Allen Tice Allen Tice is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 6,119
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Riley View Post
. I am pretty tired of the autopoliticalsexual poetry so prevalent these days. I understand why it's out there, why it may even be necessary at this time, but it doesn't usually make for great poetry. In the end, it's so self-centered it makes me tired. It's sort of like being trapped by a person with a giant ego and genius gift for gab at a party you didn't want to go to in the first place.
Hear, here.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Unread 07-15-2022, 09:26 AM
Julie Steiner Julie Steiner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 8,307
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Slater View Post
Julie, are you sure the drunk guy wasn't talking about pizza?
Yes. Surely everyone has deeply regretted pizza at least once.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



Forum Right Top
Forum Left Bottom Forum Right Bottom
 
Right Left
Member Login
Forgot password?
Forum LeftForum Right


Forum Statistics:
Forum Members: 8,399
Total Threads: 21,841
Total Posts: 270,809
There are 1487 users
currently browsing forums.
Forum LeftForum Right


Forum Sponsor:
Donate & Support Able Muse / Eratosphere
Forum LeftForum Right
Right Right
Right Bottom Left Right Bottom Right

Hosted by ApplauZ Online