Scan barcode
A review by tumblyhome_caroline
Crow by Ted Hughes
5.0
How can I begin to talk about this. There are no words that I can use that will do justice to this incredible writing, so I will just give a babbling account of what I loved so much.
I love the book and the film, The English Patient. In that story Count Almásy carries about a copy of Herodotus. It goes everywhere with him throughout his life (in fact the book and story are deeply connected) ....I have often thought what book I would carry with me through my life. What book would I always have within reach, that I could turn to wherever i found myself needing company and entertainment .....I have so many contenders, none quite perfect. But now, Crow is the book I would carry. It would be my desert island book and the book I could read forever and still find more in it. It may seem a strange choice...it is a shocking book in so many ways.
I am new to poetry really and had to work hard at this. I downloaded the audible readings by Hughes and also read the book...it took many readings and listenings of each poem but gradually the words all began to make sense. There was still a lot I was unsure about, the meanings just too opaque, but the words were just so incredible to listen to and think about. Hence the thought that this little book contains years and years of ponderings. I have since read some analysis articles about the poems, some I agree with, some gave me a new way of interpreting what I had read and some I just plain disagreed with...but all were interesting.
It is shocking and quite horrific book in many ways but still I found myself giggling at times at the audacious and almost terrible little comments tucked away unexpectedly jumping out without warning.
My favourite poems....Crow Goes Hunting, Crows Fall, A Grin and Conjuring In Heaven.
I could quote bits...but go and buy it and chose your own.
So in summary I loved the way the words have been built into a very wonderful, gothic, apocalyptic palace with many rooms, dungeons and pinnacles I loved the black humour, I loved it all. The only downside is that Hughes had planned more but couldn’t finish this epic and that is a great shame.
I love the book and the film, The English Patient. In that story Count Almásy carries about a copy of Herodotus. It goes everywhere with him throughout his life (in fact the book and story are deeply connected) ....I have often thought what book I would carry with me through my life. What book would I always have within reach, that I could turn to wherever i found myself needing company and entertainment .....I have so many contenders, none quite perfect. But now, Crow is the book I would carry. It would be my desert island book and the book I could read forever and still find more in it. It may seem a strange choice...it is a shocking book in so many ways.
I am new to poetry really and had to work hard at this. I downloaded the audible readings by Hughes and also read the book...it took many readings and listenings of each poem but gradually the words all began to make sense. There was still a lot I was unsure about, the meanings just too opaque, but the words were just so incredible to listen to and think about. Hence the thought that this little book contains years and years of ponderings. I have since read some analysis articles about the poems, some I agree with, some gave me a new way of interpreting what I had read and some I just plain disagreed with...but all were interesting.
It is shocking and quite horrific book in many ways but still I found myself giggling at times at the audacious and almost terrible little comments tucked away unexpectedly jumping out without warning.
My favourite poems....Crow Goes Hunting, Crows Fall, A Grin and Conjuring In Heaven.
I could quote bits...but go and buy it and chose your own.
So in summary I loved the way the words have been built into a very wonderful, gothic, apocalyptic palace with many rooms, dungeons and pinnacles I loved the black humour, I loved it all. The only downside is that Hughes had planned more but couldn’t finish this epic and that is a great shame.