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bookgoodfeelgood's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
kamckim's review against another edition
4.0
With books of poetry, I usually find some poems resonate and others do not (one exception, Robert Frost). What I do have after reading this particular collection is a profound respect for Darwish as a serious and self-aware poet, who knows how to exploit tension on so many levels. The most obvious source of this tension for Darwish is the displacement of the Palestinian people; however, The poet doesn't leave us there. He uses this struggle to embody the tensions felt between the poet and the word, between the East and West as they collide in the ME, between spiritual beliefs, and the tensions experienced when one struggles to define himself. Of particular resonance for me was a poem entitled, "The Phases of Anat," which truly illuminated the mythopoetic duality of Palestine since its earliest inhabitants roamed the land. Nothing has changed here, says Darwish, even that tension between the power and the futility of words.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
4.0
"If I had another present
I might own the keys of my yesterday
And if my yesterday were here
I might own all of my tomorrow..."
- from Ivory Combs
I might own the keys of my yesterday
And if my yesterday were here
I might own all of my tomorrow..."
- from Ivory Combs
syafa's review against another edition
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? N/A
3.25
I think this is the first time I'm reading a poetry collection that's translated so in some ways my usual feeling of "I don't think I'm 'getting' it" when it comes to poetry feels a bit worse. Some lines and word choices especially make me really wish I'm reading this in a class to hear how other people read it. I was def more diligent in my analysis towards the beginning, and I noticed a lot of situations where a single word could be read in more than one ways which would add more possible meanings to the line. I think that's what made it kinda enjoyable to read! Towards the end he also uses a lot of allusions to historical figures etc which I was admittedly too lazy to read about usually sooo yeah definitely missed something there too
ryandriyani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
5.0
Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? By Mahmoud Darwish
The poets know. I treasured this book of poems. My favorites are
Said the Traveller to the Traveller: We Shall not Return as…
And First Exercises on a Spanish Guitar
Successions for Another Time
The translation is excellent. I imagine poetry is difficult to translate, to keep meaning and rhythm.
This is my 17th book for #23for23
The poets know. I treasured this book of poems. My favorites are
Said the Traveller to the Traveller: We Shall not Return as…
And First Exercises on a Spanish Guitar
Successions for Another Time
The translation is excellent. I imagine poetry is difficult to translate, to keep meaning and rhythm.
This is my 17th book for #23for23