Montale, at least in this first collection of poems, does not fall among my favorite poets.

I like poems on the style of the malaise of living, but I do not find myself much in his landscapes and his environments. Although they are evocative, unfortunately they tell me little.

Perhaps it is because his worldviews and experiences are so different from mine.

His poetry seems to be more focused on the inner turmoil and the search for meaning in a complex and often confusing world.

While I can appreciate the beauty and the depth of his words, I cannot fully connect with them on an emotional level.

However, I still respect his work and his contribution to the world of poetry.

Maybe with time and more reading, I will be able to understand and appreciate his poetry better.

A deeply moving record of one man's world unfolds before us. His life on the Ligurian coast is a tapestry of experiences, with the world around him changing only under the influence of man. Here, we encounter a beautiful synthesis of a naturalist and a romantic. Montale, the poet, is both severely pessimistic and fearful of the modern world and its severe flaws. His roots reach as far back as poetry itself, yet he is firmly planted in the modern world and its problems. This work is truly one of the great books of poetry written in the 20th century. It offers a profound exploration of the human condition, the relationship between man and nature, and the impact of modernity. Montale's words paint a vivid picture of a world in flux, a world that is both beautiful and flawed. His poetry is a testament to the power of language to capture the essence of our existence and to convey the complex emotions that lie within us.

I often think of your smile, and for me it is like a clear spring water.

It is a guide for adventure among the pebbles of a creek, a tiny mirror in which a heron can see its plumage.

And above all, it is the embrace of a quiet white sky.

This is my memory; I don't know, in the distance,

whether a naive soul is freely expressed from your face,

or whether you are one of those wanderers who are weakened by the evil of the world

and carry their suffering with them like a talisman.

But this I can tell you, that the thought of your image

submerges the wild crosses in a wave of calm,

and that your appearance insinuates itself into my gray memory

as simple as the top of a young palm tree...

“Ah, the man who goes away safely,

friendly to others and to himself,

and doesn't care that the dog days

print his shadow on a crumbling wall!”

This beautiful stanza seems to描绘 a scene of a man who is at peace with himself and the world around him. He walks away without a care, unconcerned about the passing of time or the harsh conditions represented by the dog days. His friendliness towards others and himself is a sign of inner contentment. The image of his shadow on the crumbling wall adds a touch of melancholy, perhaps暗示 the fleeting nature of life. Overall, this stanza invites us to reflect on the importance of finding peace within ourselves and not being overly worried about the external circumstances that may come our way.

Not for everyone, a dense and difficult collection even for those who understand poetry, but essential for enthusiasts.

This statement holds true for many literary works. Some collections are so profound and complex that they require a certain level of knowledge and appreciation of poetry to fully understand and appreciate.

For those who are passionate about poetry, however, these collections are like hidden treasures. They offer unique insights, beautiful language, and powerful emotions that can touch the heart and soul.

Even though they may be challenging to read and understand at times, the effort is well worth it. Through careful study and reflection, enthusiasts can uncover the hidden meanings and beauty within these works, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art of poetry.

In conclusion, while some poetry collections may not be accessible to everyone, they are essential for those who have a true passion for the art form. They offer a wealth of knowledge, beauty, and inspiration that can enrich our lives and expand our horizons.

If you are seeking sweetness, even if there is some bitterness within, it is here.

If a crocodile, a dusty ray of sunshine, a dry tree can wrench a smile or a tear from you, this is for you.

If you have anger, fatigue, love, you will find them here.

My copy is consumed, destroyed. I will never change it.

This passage seems to convey a sense of finding various emotions and experiences in a particular place or situation. It emphasizes that despite the presence of both pleasant and unpleasant elements, there is something unique and valuable there. The mention of the consumed and destroyed copy could perhaps symbolize the passage of time or the wear and tear of life, yet the author's determination not to change it shows a certain attachment or acceptance. It makes one wonder what exactly this "place" is that holds such significance for the author and how it relates to their own emotions and experiences.

I anticipated approaching this book as a complete novice. I don't know the life of Montale in the slightest, as is usually done in school before reading a poem. And for this reason, I'm ready to receive a shower of criticism from the author's enthusiasts. I must say that I found the poems extremely hermetic. They transmitted very little to me on an emotional level, except for a few well-described images. The segments of life recounted also seemed rather unclear to me. The feelings come across as burdened by the load of words necessary to express them. Personally, I appreciate a poorer and more direct poetry, and perhaps this book has helped me discover that.

It's important to note that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to poetry. While some may be drawn to the complex and allusive nature of Montale's work, others, like myself, may find more value in simplicity and straightforwardness. This doesn't mean that Montale's poetry is bad; it simply means that it didn't resonate with me in the same way.

Despite my initial misgivings, I'm glad I took the time to read this collection. It has given me a better understanding of my own tastes and has encouraged me to explore different styles of poetry in the future. Maybe one day, I'll come back to Montale's work with a more open mind and a different perspective.

Come quella chiostra di rupi che sembra sfilacciarsi in ragnatele di nubi;

Tali i nostri animi arsi in cui l’illusione brucia un fuoco pieno di cenere.

Si perdono nel sereno di una certezza: la luce.

Our souls, like that crumbling cloister of rocks, seem to be torn into cobwebs of clouds. The illusion burns a fire full of ashes within our scorched souls. And they are lost in the serenity of a certainty, which is the light.

This description paints a vivid picture of the state of our souls, battered and broken, yet still seeking the light of truth and certainty. It shows how easily our illusions can lead us astray and consume us, leaving us with only ashes and a sense of loss.

But in the midst of this chaos and destruction, there is still hope. The light of certainty shines through, offering a glimmer of hope and a way out of the darkness. It is this light that we must strive to find and hold onto, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

This poet, this book, have amazed me since my childhood. Montale is one of the miracles that still keep standing the worn-out program of the upper schools. He is one of those few pages capable of making an adolescent sit for a few minutes and engrave these verses in his head.

"Ossi di Seppia" manages in a few lines to sing the world left empty after the death of God, better than ten books of Nietzsche. (What we are NOT, what we do NOT want. The ring that does not hold). And even those who are not used to reading poetry, "Non chiederci la parola", "Aria di vetro", "Meriggiare pallido e assorto" should keep them hung on the wall.

A small, angry one indeed. Montale is contemporary to D'Annunzio (actually a little later): the fact that space is taken away from hermeticism to teach in schools the work of this boring piece of shit, starting from "Il Piacere" or the belle époque version of the 50 shades of gray, I consider it a scandal. That D'Annunzio has not yet been covered in shame for what he has written and done, and then consigned to oblivion, is a sign of the decline of the times.

Montale is a significant literary gap for me, just like many classic authors of the 20th century whom I didn't study at school and have read little on my own as an adult.

I read this collection of poems with great enthusiasm. However, unfortunately, it is a genre that doesn't suit me. But above all, during the reading, I realized that I don't have the tools to fully understand it. In every poem I read, I found passages that struck and fascinated me. But if I have to say that one poem impressed me in its entirety, no, because alongside these, I almost always encountered other verses that I didn't fully understand or that, in any case, left me indifferent. There are many references to daily and rural life, often with now archaic terms, which made my understanding a bit difficult.

As I said, I'm convinced that this is more of a limit of my knowledge rather than a personal one. So, I reserve the right to reread this book in the future, perhaps after delving deeper into the figure of the author, his context, and his style.

A very beautiful edition this of Mondadori. I must admit that this time it really impressed me, both in terms of style, cover and layout. Usually these are things that I don't pay much attention to, but this time it is worth praising the execution. As for the great Montale, there is little to say about it. A beautiful collection of poems. However, I rate it 3/5 because not all the poems have awakened in me that typical feeling of readers who are attached to the pages. My favorite poem has been "Crisalide" and the second favorite "Casa al mare".

This edition stands out with its aesthetic appeal. The style is unique and engaging, drawing the reader in from the moment they lay eyes on it. The cover design is eye-catching and sets the tone for the content within. The layout is also well thought out, making it easy to read and navigate through the poems.

Montale's poetry is known for its depth and complexity, and this collection is no exception. There are many beautiful and thought-provoking poems that touch on a variety of themes. However, as mentioned earlier, not all of them had the same impact on me. Some poems felt a bit平淡 or didn't quite resonate with my personal experiences and emotions.

Overall, this is a good collection of poems, but it may not be for everyone. If you are a fan of Montale's work or are interested in exploring Italian poetry, it is definitely worth a read. Just don't expect every poem to be a masterpiece.

I have an intense love for Montale, and this particular piece is his manifesto. However, I must admit that Arrowsmith's translations leave a lot to be desired. They come across as overly dry, perhaps due to being too literal. It seems as if he fails to truly capture the essence and the musicality that Montale's words possess.

Montale's works are like beautiful symphonies, with each word carefully chosen to create a harmonious and enchanting melody. But Arrowsmith's translations seem to flatten out this musicality, reducing the rich and complex textures of Montale's language to a mere literal rendering.

It is a pity that such a talented poet as Montale is not being fully represented in translation. I hope that in the future, there will be translations that can do justice to his work and allow more people to experience the true beauty and power of his words.