colinreedmoon's review
5.0
I actually purchased this book on a whim, not really sure of its contents or of who David Berman is; it would be years until I ended up falling in love with his band (Silver Jews), and another couple until I realized his involvement in Pavement.
2011:
This still mesmerizes me; Berman's ability to control poetry is both astounding and haphazard--while sometimes he veers into near-narrative, clean and clear, sometimes it's hard to get a jist of what's going on in the works. Sometimes whole poems came down to me as single lines, so clever they hurt, and I had to reread them several times to find the key to them; poetry isn't hard, and Berman knows that. He just wants you to feel as if you're rediscovering the world with each line, and he makes you do so finely and perfectly.
There are whole poems here that illustrate exactly what poetry should be now. There are also poems that show you what they should not.
Still one of my favorite books of poetry in the world.
2011:
This still mesmerizes me; Berman's ability to control poetry is both astounding and haphazard--while sometimes he veers into near-narrative, clean and clear, sometimes it's hard to get a jist of what's going on in the works. Sometimes whole poems came down to me as single lines, so clever they hurt, and I had to reread them several times to find the key to them; poetry isn't hard, and Berman knows that. He just wants you to feel as if you're rediscovering the world with each line, and he makes you do so finely and perfectly.
There are whole poems here that illustrate exactly what poetry should be now. There are also poems that show you what they should not.
Still one of my favorite books of poetry in the world.
kstookley's review
4.0
One of my goals since graduating college is trying to get into poetry. Poetry isn't something I sought out in high school or college, so I feel very ignorant of it. However, there are so many poets in the world who are passionate about their work. And these poets are often like me-- young, queer, etc. I think about how Audre Lorde once described poetry as the most accessible art form, since you only need a pen and paper and a few minutes to write one.
So anyways, I've been trying to get into poetry, but it's been a struggle. I think I read it too quickly; I end up feeling distant from the writing and confused by how I am supposed to feel. I can't help but imagine the author and all those people who snap their fingers at readings looking down on me.
Reading this collection, however, I felt none of those things. I felt like I was entering the author's dreams while reading these poems, with us both figuring out the world's internal rules as we progressed further. I don't think I got every allusion or joke, but the ones I did get make me feel like I was supposed to be a part of this crowd after all.
I keep trying to read other collections from other poets and find I keep having my same old problems. I wish I could just keep reading this one over and over again.
So anyways, I've been trying to get into poetry, but it's been a struggle. I think I read it too quickly; I end up feeling distant from the writing and confused by how I am supposed to feel. I can't help but imagine the author and all those people who snap their fingers at readings looking down on me.
Reading this collection, however, I felt none of those things. I felt like I was entering the author's dreams while reading these poems, with us both figuring out the world's internal rules as we progressed further. I don't think I got every allusion or joke, but the ones I did get make me feel like I was supposed to be a part of this crowd after all.
I keep trying to read other collections from other poets and find I keep having my same old problems. I wish I could just keep reading this one over and over again.
julialandi13's review
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
David Berman is one of my favorite writers ever
sanmeow's review
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
a pretty good collection, though i feel i liked the themes more than the execution or rather the style. some were much better than others, it's a very 'mixed bag' sort of thing for me. i definitely see artistic value in these even though i couldn't connect to some of them.
jacobsite's review
5.0
Having recently discovered the music of David Berman and his two main projects, Silver Jews and Purple Mountain, it was hard for me not to be completely captivated by his writing style. Blunt, sad, unforgiving but with this bit of sly humor to it that gave his writing a unique style that I imagine has been the subject of replication by many a wannabe indie artist for over two decades now. So after listening to Purple Mountain and learning of Berman’s eventual 2019 suicide that came a month or two after the release of Purple Mountains, I started looking for more content of his, which leads me to Actual Air.
Now, let me say that this is not a perfect poetry collection, there are a couple non-starters for me in here. However, I’m giving this five stars because much like Berman’s music, this poetry is just undeniable for me, especially due to how personal reading this feels. The wit and sense of humor that is coupled with the writings on the absurdities of life we are all forced to go through. These poems feel like conversations with the cynical friend that, despite everything that is thrown at them, they are always there to listen to you and are there for you. This is a big part of what really drew me into Berman’s music, so if any of this sounds like something that would interest you, please give it a shot. Also, listen to some of his music, it’s phenomenal. Rest in Peace, David.
Now, let me say that this is not a perfect poetry collection, there are a couple non-starters for me in here. However, I’m giving this five stars because much like Berman’s music, this poetry is just undeniable for me, especially due to how personal reading this feels. The wit and sense of humor that is coupled with the writings on the absurdities of life we are all forced to go through. These poems feel like conversations with the cynical friend that, despite everything that is thrown at them, they are always there to listen to you and are there for you. This is a big part of what really drew me into Berman’s music, so if any of this sounds like something that would interest you, please give it a shot. Also, listen to some of his music, it’s phenomenal. Rest in Peace, David.