Reviews

Alive Together: New and Selected Poems, by Lisel Mueller

cartwright's review

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3.0

Lots of navel-gazing rubbish covering up a few real gems. Her lovely insights into feeling and human nature are unfortunately not matched by her ability to write about them.

cdaly's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

urban_mermaid's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my college professors used to say that the highest form of literature is poetry. It's definitely sometimes the most inaccessible, in my mind. Therefore, this year I've been looking for modern, well-respected poets to read and enjoy.

This was fantastic. Some of the poems were really depressing, but all reflect the life of Ms. Mueller, whose family escaped Nazi Germany. She's a Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry and this doesn't disappoint.
This book is a collection of many of her poems across the years and includes some new ones.

My favorites (as much as for my memory as for others):

The Laughter of Women
Imaginary Paintings
Tears
American Literature
The Mermaid
Moon Fishing
Highway Poems
What the Dog Perhaps Hears
Palindrome
Love Like Salt
Beginning with 1914
Voyager
The Exhibit
Monet Refuses the Sparrow
Triage

Of course, it's mainly because these poems are either extremely emotional and tell a great story (Beginning with 1914) or reinforce a certain world view I hold (Triage). However, many are about the follies of life - and reflecting upon our human state (Palindrome).


lemoneater's review against another edition

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4.0

Earthy but beautifully controlled.
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