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I sometimes wonder if my opinion of this book has devalued my integrity as a literary critic. I loved it, and so few other poetry lovers seem to. Perhaps in the same way some people are moved to tears by a Rothko painting while others see nothing but a big red blotch, readers of this book will find their hearts profoundly stirred only if they want them to be. Haddon's poetry captivated me because for the most part, I felt without thinking. It asks you to trust it. I found trusting it a very enjo...
From "Poets" 'No one understands them/ They are inordinately proud of this' Ha!
I couldn't follow the logic of the book's organization. And most of the poems fell flat for me. Haddon is definitely a better novelist!
I read these out-loud while a guitarist and a drummer practiced beneath my feet.
Coolest cover ever with a moveable paper wheel...unfortunately, I only liked a couple of the poems contained within.
Endeavoring the read poetry this year. Since I enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, I thought his collection would be a great collection to start with. I just don't think I am intelligent enough to "get" poetry but I did enjoy the audio version of this.
Not a huge poetry fan, I listened to this audio to satisfy the read harder challenge 2015 #17.
His fiction is better than his poetry.
This cover is so interesting to make up for the confusion that is the poems inside. I think I liked and understood maybe two...
"This is how we leave the world,with the heart weeping,and the hope that distancebrings the solving wonderof one last clear viewbefore that long sleepabove the weather's changes."
0. Fine Author, Worse WorkMark Haddon is a fine author. There is no question that he is a master of prose and deserves all the attention The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time received. That said, I don't have a high view of some parts of this book. In some sense you can't keep a good author down, and even in their worse works they will shine in some places anyway. There are a few niggling concerns I have with his poetry that I want to give, then I want to say what I liked about it.To...
I don’t read much poetry, I feel like I get something out of it, but I think I miss most of what’s valuable. I liked this stuff but it didn’t bowl me over the way some of Haddon’s novels have. I requested this book from my library thinking it was recent, but actually it was published 16 years ago, shortly after his big “hit” (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).
"In truth, the dwarf worked in a betting shop / and wore an orthopaedic shoe. / The ugly sisters were neither sisters, nor, indeed, women, / nor were they remotely interested in the prince." –‘The Facts’ Haddon’s subject matter is wide-ranging and, characteristically, quirky. He deconstructs the everyday, thereby raising interesting questions for the reader. Such as in ‘The Penguin,’ which is about a trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park, where he muses, ‘A whole world and every part of it / a short wa...
I love this book! The poems are so vivid and imaginative and so varied - from the surreal to the quietly insightful, from the funny to the moving. I've read the book twice and may read it again.
I only liked two paragraphs out of two diffetent poems. The rest was pretty dull.