joerourke's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
a strange yet very touching collection of works which represent the chaos and the spirit of Ginsberg and his fellow beats
nessyreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Howl, America, and Song were my favorite poems in this. Ginsberg writes from his perspective living a sad and lonely life because of how the system has/is/and seems that it’ll always be against humanity.
I’m new to poetry, but I enjoyed the rhythm Ginsberg uses in his writing — it makes me read out loud and helps me form a deeper connection to the feelings portrayed.
I’m new to poetry, but I enjoyed the rhythm Ginsberg uses in his writing — it makes me read out loud and helps me form a deeper connection to the feelings portrayed.
jbmorgan86's review
2.0
I feel odd rating works of literature that have clearly influenced millions of people and shaped a whole culture. Therefore, my 2/5 ranking is based solely on enjoyment.
I'm not much of a poetry guy. I am trying to "educate myself." Howl and Other Poems is one of the most read collections of poems and it is short, so I started with it. As one other reviewer put it, "Allen Ginsberg, a sad and lonely man, wrote this to impress Kerouac, another sad and lonely man." While at times the words are sheer beauty, these poems just come off as a naive, idealistic young beatnik whining about the world. I'm sure in the late 50s and into the 60s, these poems made a profound impact. However, by 2015 they have lost a good bit of their power.
I'm not much of a poetry guy. I am trying to "educate myself." Howl and Other Poems is one of the most read collections of poems and it is short, so I started with it. As one other reviewer put it, "Allen Ginsberg, a sad and lonely man, wrote this to impress Kerouac, another sad and lonely man." While at times the words are sheer beauty, these poems just come off as a naive, idealistic young beatnik whining about the world. I'm sure in the late 50s and into the 60s, these poems made a profound impact. However, by 2015 they have lost a good bit of their power.
shoggoth_roof's review against another edition
4.0
Creo que es la primera vez que leo la versión completa del poema "Howl" y me deja la misma sensación que el conjunto de este poemario: me enganchas las imágenes que propone Ginsberg y cómo acerca su realidad (sucia, real, con drogas, sexo, traumas y muchas reflexiones) al lector. Te sientes un espectador en una película mientras él te abre su corazón y te muestra sus inquietudes e imágenes cotidianas, incluyendo a su círculo cercano.
Me fascina mucho este autor y la generación Beat en general.
Me fascina mucho este autor y la generación Beat en general.
sophiaeve's review against another edition
i want to know what jess mariano wrote in the margins of this book