nelsonmaam's review
3.0
Most of the poems were good, some were amazing, and some were completely incomprehensible (to me). I had a much harder time finishing a book of poetry than I thought I would. Probably won't get ambitious like this again for a while.
melbellem's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up a copy of the 1958 edition from a used bookstore ages ago and just recently cracked it open. I'm glad I did! While I was disappointed to see this collection is overwhelmingly white, male, American, and Christian (I mean it was first published in 1916 so I shouldn't be too surprised really), there are quite a few gems in here. I found new authors I love, and some I honestly hate. This book helped me figure out what I like and don't care for in poetry. I starred some favorites and I know I'll revisit them.
It's hard to rate a collection, but 3 stars = I liked it.
It's hard to rate a collection, but 3 stars = I liked it.
boureemusique's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book for curious children. I'm not a big fan of all of the poems in the anthology, but I respect their placement.
hyacinth_girl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great collection of poems - some by famous poets, others by poets I didn't know. My favorite poem in it is "My Kate" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. For all poetry lovers, it's definitely something to check out!
octavia_cade's review against another edition
2.0
Well, poetry has certainly changed over the years, hasn't it? This anthology is nearly all male, and nearly all the poems are very old (granted, the first edition was published many years ago). And some of them - many, frankly - are not to my more modern tastes. Over-written, saccharine, as purple as very purple things, it was such a chore to get through some of them (Thomas Gray, I'm looking at you) that when I turned a page to find something enjoyable I was profoundly delighted.
In summary: they might be famous, but not all of them are good.
In summary: they might be famous, but not all of them are good.
csd17's review
5.0
One book of poetry should be required reading at least once a year. It refreshes the soul.
bethmitcham's review against another edition
4.0
Met lots of old favorites, some old clunkers, and marked a few to add to the poetry journal. Read some out loud to the cats (they liked it) and one to the oldest son, who found it amusing.
aliciamae's review against another edition
2.0
Solid anthology. Mostly romantic and early modern poetry.