mundinova's review against another edition
4.0
A dog on his master
As young as I look,
I am growing older faster than he,
seven to one
is the ratio they tend to say.
Whatever the number,
I will pass him one day
and take the lead
the way I do on our walks in the woods.
And if this ever manages
to cross his mind,
it would be the sweetest
shadow I have ever cast on snow or grass.
This little collection of Collins' poems is a mixed bag.
Pros:
Short, easy to understand poems
Observational storytelling, much like observational stand-up comedy
Some are funny, some are sad. The funny ones are delightful!
Cons:
Some of the poems feel repetitive in nature. I wondered sometimes if I had already read one or if it was new.
Upper middle class American white man life observations. Might be hard to relate to.
The pros outweigh the cons, so I'd recommend this collection to anyone looking to get into poetry for the first time. But if poetry is your life and you're looking for a new voice, Collins isn't your man.
Stories: 3 stars
Capturing the Human Condition (as defined by me): 3 stars
Prose/Language: 5 stars
As young as I look,
I am growing older faster than he,
seven to one
is the ratio they tend to say.
Whatever the number,
I will pass him one day
and take the lead
the way I do on our walks in the woods.
And if this ever manages
to cross his mind,
it would be the sweetest
shadow I have ever cast on snow or grass.
This little collection of Collins' poems is a mixed bag.
Pros:
Short, easy to understand poems
Observational storytelling, much like observational stand-up comedy
Some are funny, some are sad. The funny ones are delightful!
Cons:
Some of the poems feel repetitive in nature. I wondered sometimes if I had already read one or if it was new.
Upper middle class American white man life observations. Might be hard to relate to.
The pros outweigh the cons, so I'd recommend this collection to anyone looking to get into poetry for the first time. But if poetry is your life and you're looking for a new voice, Collins isn't your man.
Stories: 3 stars
Capturing the Human Condition (as defined by me): 3 stars
Prose/Language: 5 stars
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Billy Collins has the ability to make me laugh out loud and also to think. One that cracked me up was To My Favorite Seventeen Year Old High School Student. He lists many famous people who had accomplished absolutely amazing things by the age of 14 or 15. He lets this favorite teen know that they are loved just as they are. He says that there will be time for these kinds of accomplishments later in life, "after you come out of your room and begin to blossom or at least pick up all your socks."
He has some that moved me too like Building with Its Face Blown Off. I couldn't help but remember images of Syrian cities that I've seen online when he was reading this one. It was intense when thinking about the thousands of people represented by those empty shells.
Every time I read a poem by Billy Collins, I want to read more of them. This collection just makes me want to run out and grab another by him.
He has some that moved me too like Building with Its Face Blown Off. I couldn't help but remember images of Syrian cities that I've seen online when he was reading this one. It was intense when thinking about the thousands of people represented by those empty shells.
Every time I read a poem by Billy Collins, I want to read more of them. This collection just makes me want to run out and grab another by him.
bkeniston's review against another edition
4.0
This exceptional collection of poetry from former Poet Laureate Billy Collins presents a number of new poems along with selections from four previous volumes. The structure results in a career retrospective of sorts, showcasing Collins’ range and talent through the years. These poems are deceptively simple, as Collins finds beauty in the mundane aspects of everyday life and wonder in small moments that are familiar to everybody. They can make you laugh out loud and feel a little sad at the same time. I have to admit that I’ve never been a big reader of poetry, but Billy Collins, as he has done for so many others, has piqued my interest, and I will be coming back for more
rissaleighs's review
5.0
I know I have read Billy Collins before, but apparently not at the right place or the right time, for I had no idea how delightful he is. I chuckled aloud at times and underlined so many perfect turns of phrase. This collection ends on his 9/11 poem which is really quite a perfect thing.
henryerickson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.25
good_winter's review against another edition
5.0
Favorites:
Creatures
The Four-Moon Planet
Hippos on Holiday
Tension
Creatures
The Four-Moon Planet
Hippos on Holiday
Tension
nyxnovels's review against another edition
Not my favorite style of poetry, but he sure has some amazing lines in here.
kchap91's review against another edition
5.0
I won't pretend that I didn't buy this collection in an attempt to impress a crush. It hovered on my shelf for years, the last few pages unread as the crush faded.
But I picked it off the shelves this morning as it felt like a 'poetry' kind of morning, and I felt comforted by my fleeting taste.
This collection of poems is at times melancholy and hilarious, quite often both. Beautiful and a fittingly quiet ode to a relationship that would never be.
But I picked it off the shelves this morning as it felt like a 'poetry' kind of morning, and I felt comforted by my fleeting taste.
This collection of poems is at times melancholy and hilarious, quite often both. Beautiful and a fittingly quiet ode to a relationship that would never be.