American Poetry
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Overview
Poetry. For nearly forty years Stephen Berg has established himself as a major American poet while exploring the boundaries between original verse and translations. These "versions" and translations aim to make accessible poetry from sources as diverse and intriguing as ancient Aztec, Chinese, and Inuit song, the poetry of Miklos Radnoti and Ruben Dario among many others.
Editorials
Library Journal
Berg (editor of American Poetry Reviewand author of New & Selected Poems, Copper Canyon, 1992) here compiles "versions" of poems ranging from ancient Nahuatl religious songs to Aztec songs, from works by Octavio Paz to those of Innokently Annesky. Although they are based on the English translations of scholars, these so-called versions are generally not straightforward renderings but "remake[s] of the texts" that, unfortunately, prove to be esoteric and abstruse. In addition, something seems to be missing: perhaps it is the distinct voice of an identifiable poet. Even though Berg credits the source of each poem, readers will find themselves asking, "Who is the creator of these verses? Who crafted these lines?" The ideas of each poem are refined and reshaped by Berg, but they are neither Berg's nor those of the poets on whose works they are based. Not recommended.Tim Gavin, Episcopal Academy, Merion, Pa.Book Details
Published
June 19, 1997
Publisher
Copper Canyon Press
Pages
240
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781556590757