winona_reads3's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 i could read him all day
some were repetitive
i wish there was more beat
also confused when he wrote about God when he was buddhist
some were repetitive
i wish there was more beat
also confused when he wrote about God when he was buddhist
christenebs's review against another edition
5.0
These “American Haikus” and “Pops” were a delight to read. The introduction, written by the book’s editor, Regina Weinreich, was short but very informative.
When I think of haiku I think of nature related subjects. Kerouac included nature elements but he wasn’t exclusive to flowers, trees, etc. I loved the unexpected way he would add modern twists to his take on haiku.
His haiku are very self reflective and seem to be rather intimate. He captures what he is seeing and feeling and thinking in just a cluster of words that bring sharp images to the readers mind. It is quite impressive. They read as very informal and sometimes funny observations of the world around him. Sometimes he’s on his porch, at his desk, in the city, on the road, or on a mountain. But he makes you feel as if you are right there with him.
At the end of this book I found myself wanting to read more Haiku which is something I never thought I’d hear myself say!!
When I think of haiku I think of nature related subjects. Kerouac included nature elements but he wasn’t exclusive to flowers, trees, etc. I loved the unexpected way he would add modern twists to his take on haiku.
His haiku are very self reflective and seem to be rather intimate. He captures what he is seeing and feeling and thinking in just a cluster of words that bring sharp images to the readers mind. It is quite impressive. They read as very informal and sometimes funny observations of the world around him. Sometimes he’s on his porch, at his desk, in the city, on the road, or on a mountain. But he makes you feel as if you are right there with him.
At the end of this book I found myself wanting to read more Haiku which is something I never thought I’d hear myself say!!
deusexlibrus's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
krismoon's review against another edition
4.0
The introduction alone in this book is worth the read. It's a great little book (that fits in your back pocket. Yes, your back pocket.) that is fun to pick up anytime you are bored/in chapel.
Kerouac basically gave birth to the Western Haiku. Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry, typically plotted by the seasons. While Kerouac adheres to the seasonal content occasionally, he focuses on everyday happenstance. In addition, as Japanese Haiku is writ in 5-7-5 (syllable count per line), Kerouac's invintion of the Western Haiku has no fixed syllable count, but is condensed to 3 line stanzas with compacted lines.
Here are some favorites:
A raindrop from
the roof
Fell in my beer
I said a joke
under the stars
-no laughter
When the moon sinks
down to the power line,
I'll go in
Dusk - boy
smashing dandelions
with a stick
The cow taking a big
dreamy crap, turning
To look at me
Kerouac basically gave birth to the Western Haiku. Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry, typically plotted by the seasons. While Kerouac adheres to the seasonal content occasionally, he focuses on everyday happenstance. In addition, as Japanese Haiku is writ in 5-7-5 (syllable count per line), Kerouac's invintion of the Western Haiku has no fixed syllable count, but is condensed to 3 line stanzas with compacted lines.
Here are some favorites:
A raindrop from
the roof
Fell in my beer
I said a joke
under the stars
-no laughter
When the moon sinks
down to the power line,
I'll go in
Dusk - boy
smashing dandelions
with a stick
The cow taking a big
dreamy crap, turning
To look at me
monikasreadingadventures's review against another edition
5.0
I decided to re-read this book of haikus and I absolutely loved it!
I love how Kerouac pushes the usual topics of haikus into the 20th century but still makes them have the same feeling that traditional Japanese haikus have, which is actually incredible.
I don't have anything else to say other than the fact that - I wish there was more of these haikus!
Also, I would recommend this book to anyone, if you don't like poetry as the amazing thing about haikus is that in a few words they can paint an entire picture in your mind.
I love how Kerouac pushes the usual topics of haikus into the 20th century but still makes them have the same feeling that traditional Japanese haikus have, which is actually incredible.
I don't have anything else to say other than the fact that - I wish there was more of these haikus!
Also, I would recommend this book to anyone, if you don't like poetry as the amazing thing about haikus is that in a few words they can paint an entire picture in your mind.
wemedgeway's review against another edition
4.0
Some blah, some good, some great... interesting read.
dani_the_adventurer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0