annaeap's review
4.0
Enjoyed this book of poetry by Judith Viorst, who I was delighted to realize is the author of children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. I purchased as a gift to my friend (turning 30 years old) from Persephone Books, which publishes out-of-print books by women writers. Many funny observations about marriage/traditional roles of wives, with a few poignant moments throughout. Some of it is definitely a snapshot of the times (1960s) and might grate on modern feminist readers. The author’s preface helps contextualize the book, and also happens to be hilarious (describing the darkness of her early poems in her childhood as being inspired by her mother’s love of Edgar Allan Poe: “Having heard my
mother reciting 'Annabel Lee' on numerous occasions, I believe I became convinced that a poem couldn't be a poem unless it had a dead body in it”).
mother reciting 'Annabel Lee' on numerous occasions, I believe I became convinced that a poem couldn't be a poem unless it had a dead body in it”).
l1nds's review
4.0
Bought on a whim for the title (and that of the other volume included, People & Other Aggravations) this was amusing and well observed - although somewhat dated, nevertheless these poems are a snapshot of married life for the middle classes in the New York of the 60s and 70s. Probably best read with an ice cold martini in hand! And some of them are quite timeless:
I'd planned to be Heathcliff's Cathy, Lady Brett,
Nicole or Dominique or Scarlett O'Hara.
I hadn't planned to be folding up the laundry
In uncombed hair and last night's smudged mascara,
I'd planned to be Heathcliff's Cathy, Lady Brett,
Nicole or Dominique or Scarlett O'Hara.
I hadn't planned to be folding up the laundry
In uncombed hair and last night's smudged mascara,
flappermyrtle's review
4.0
Judith Viorst's poetry is beautiful. I read this book really slowly because I wanted to treasure each poem, slowly read it, unpack it, read it again and thoroughly enjoy it.
Viorst manages to take the ordinary, situations in everyday life in everyday language, and make it something poetic that I feel many women will intensely identify with. She writes about her marriage, about friendships, about her position in society as a woman, about the way her life changes as the years go by. She speaks of regret but it never truly bitter, as she manages to keep a tongue-in-cheek feel to her writing. But she makes points, points that must be heard and pondered, points that ever so slightly shook my world and made me wonder what it is that I want out of life. Granted, some of the poems are somewhat too moany, self-depricating and victimised for me, but those are only a few out of this rather large collection of absolutely stunning work.
Viorst manages to take the ordinary, situations in everyday life in everyday language, and make it something poetic that I feel many women will intensely identify with. She writes about her marriage, about friendships, about her position in society as a woman, about the way her life changes as the years go by. She speaks of regret but it never truly bitter, as she manages to keep a tongue-in-cheek feel to her writing. But she makes points, points that must be heard and pondered, points that ever so slightly shook my world and made me wonder what it is that I want out of life. Granted, some of the poems are somewhat too moany, self-depricating and victimised for me, but those are only a few out of this rather large collection of absolutely stunning work.
margztgz's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I picked up this little book today from a second hand book sale for $2. I haven't read a poetry collection I've loved so much in a long time. This was absolutely gut wrenching and played on my life experiences and conception of love. This book is beautiful and devastating, I can't even explain it. perfectly concise too, and beautiful illustrations.
sarahkjs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
heatherdmoore's review against another edition
3.0
I discovered this book after Helene Hanff mentioned it to her publisher in Q’s Legacy and was instantly curious. When I discovered Judith Viorst has written a book for every decade from her 20’s to now Nearly 90, I knew they’d be must reads. I read this one after reading Viorst’s book about her 20’s and didn’t realize beforehand that she had pulled the best poems from this book and the one about her 40’s (along with creating some new ones), and thereby creating a masterful book covering three decades. As this one was written first, I found it scattered and less polished overall. Bottom line, skip this one and read When Did I Stop Being Twenty: And Other Injustices. It tells a hilarious, super-dated-but-in-a-great-way story of her 20’s-40’s in poetry form.
cpruskee's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75