I was not emotionally ready to read this. It came as a complete surprise, hitting me like a ton of bricks. The words on the page seemed to jump out at me, overwhelming my senses. I felt a wave of emotions wash over me, and I wasn't sure how to handle it. My heart raced, and my hands trembled slightly as I held the book. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but it was no use. The story had already pulled me in, and I couldn't escape. I knew that I had to keep reading, but a part of me wanted to stop and walk away. I was afraid of what I might discover, afraid of how it might make me feel. But I also knew that I couldn't avoid it forever. So, I took another deep breath and continued reading, hoping that I would be able to find some sort of resolution or understanding.
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Poetry #8
Sixty Odd
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Here is the first new book of poems in more than a decade from the author so well known for her thought-provoking science fiction novels. It is also the most autobiographical of Ursula K. Le Guin's five poetry collections, taking its inspiration from the wisdom and perspective that a woman attains in her sixties. Here she is at turns wry, playful, and sharply critical, with finely observed details of her day-to-day life and moving philosophical reflections on growing older.
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Genres
poetry
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 27,1999
This edition
- Format
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112 pages, Paperback
- Published
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April 27, 1999 by Shambhala
- ISBN
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9781570623882
- ASIN
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1570623880
- Language
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English
About the author
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Ursula K. Le Guin published twenty-two novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation, and has received many awards: Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, etc. Her recent publications include the novel Lavinia, an essay collection, Cheek by Jowl, and The Wild Girls. She lived in Portland, Oregon.
She was known for her treatment of gender (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Matter of Seggri), political systems (The Telling, The Dispossessed) and difference/otherness in any other form. Her interest in non-Western philosophies was reflected in works such as "Solitude" and The Telling but even more interesting are her imagined societies, often mixing traits extracted from her profound knowledge of anthropology acquired from growing up with her father, the famous anthropologist, Alfred Kroeber. The Hainish Cycle reflects the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new strange cultures since most of their main characters and narrators (Le Guin favoured the first-person narration) are envoys from a humanitarian organization, the Ekumen, sent to investigate or ally themselves with the people of a different world and learn their ways.
She was known for her treatment of gender (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Matter of Seggri), political systems (The Telling, The Dispossessed) and difference/otherness in any other form. Her interest in non-Western philosophies was reflected in works such as "Solitude" and The Telling but even more interesting are her imagined societies, often mixing traits extracted from her profound knowledge of anthropology acquired from growing up with her father, the famous anthropologist, Alfred Kroeber. The Hainish Cycle reflects the anthropologist's experience of immersing themselves in new strange cultures since most of their main characters and narrators (Le Guin favoured the first-person narration) are envoys from a humanitarian organization, the Ekumen, sent to investigate or ally themselves with the people of a different world and learn their ways.
Community Reviews
Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 26 votes)
5 stars
10(38%)
4 stars
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3 stars
8(31%)
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26 reviews All reviews
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There were a few really impressive pieces in this collection. They stood out with their unique designs and精湛的 craftsmanship. However, despite these standout items, there just weren't enough of them to justify bumping the overall rating up to a 4. Maybe if there had been a few more equally remarkable pieces, or if the other items had shown more improvement, the score could have been higher. But as it stands, while the impressive pieces are a definite亮点, they aren't sufficient to raise the grade to that next level. It's a bit of a disappointment, really, because there was potential here to create something truly outstanding. But for now, it remains just shy of that 4-star mark.
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I have this inclination that I really want to give this poetry collection another read when I'm in my sixties, just to observe how my perception of it has changed. For me, a thirty-something-year-old, I found that I had a greater preference for the first half of the collection compared to the second half. There were several standout poems that really caught my attention. "Old Age" presented a thought-provoking exploration of the later stages of life. "A Traveler at a Lake in New England" painted a vivid picture with its descriptive language. "Field Burning Debated Salmon Fate Discussed" was unique in its combination of different themes. "Infinitive" had a certain charm and depth. "Fight 1067 to L.A." was exciting and engaging. "Fall" captured the essence of the season beautifully. "Late Dusk" created a sense of mystery and tranquility. "For Gabriela Mistral" was a touching tribute. And "Rodmell" added another layer of interest to the collection. These poems have left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to revisiting them in the future to see if my feelings have evolved.
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The first half of this book was, from a technical perspective, quite good. The writing was solid, and the structure was well thought out. However, for me personally, it didn't have that particular emotional impact that would have made it truly outstanding. On the other hand, the latter half of the book was excellent. It consisted of poems that profiled individuals that Le Guin recalled from memory. These poems were not only beautifully written but also had a deep emotional resonance. They brought these individuals to life in a way that was both vivid and touching. Le Guin's ability to capture the essence of these people and convey their stories through poetry is truly remarkable. It added a whole new dimension to the book and made it a much more engaging and memorable read. Overall, while the first half may not have been my favorite, the latter half more than made up for it and left a lasting impression on me.
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I have an intense love for Le Guin's prose. It has a certain charm that simply captivates me. However, when it comes to her poetry, I don't have the same level of affection. Perhaps it's because I tend to prefer reading her works in larger chunks rather than in small, bite-sized pieces. But that doesn't mean her poetry is without merit. In fact, her imagery and use of words are truly lovely, regardless of the format. There are some poems that have really touched me deeply. A couple of them had such a powerful impact that they made me want to shed tears. It's interesting how different forms of writing can have different effects on us, yet Le Guin's talent shines through in both her prose and poetry.
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Poems, she means. But I think the title is not only about poems but also a play on age. There are some really good ones among them. Some of these excellent poems will be appearing soon on my poetry post. I'm looking forward to sharing them with you all. The anticipation is building as I know these poems have the power to touch hearts and inspire. Each one has its own unique charm and message. Whether it's a poem about love, nature, or life's experiences, they all have something valuable to offer. So stay tuned to my poetry post and get ready to be amazed by these wonderful works of art.
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LeGuin's poems are truly remarkable. They possess a certain grandeur, even when they are concise in length. Each one of her poems is like a miniaturized world, a short story in its own right, or perhaps even a novella. When you read a LeGuin poem, it has the power to transport you to another realm. You find yourself completely immersed in the words, as if you are a part of the story unfolding within. And after you've finished reading, you don't just move on. Instead, you sit there for a while, lost in thought, trying to piece together the remaining fragments of the story, trying to understand the deeper meanings and emotions that lie beneath the surface. LeGuin's ability to pack so much depth and complexity into such a small space is truly a testament to her skill as a poet. Her poems are not just words on a page; they are living, breathing entities that have the power to touch your heart and soul.
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This collection is truly remarkable. Even if you were to only focus on "Lost Arrows" and "The Feather People", I firmly believe that they are better than the rest of the works combined.
This is my third Le Guin poetry collection, and I wholeheartedly think that she is one of my all-time favorite poets. Moreover, she is also one of my favorite prose writers, which places her in a unique category all her own. Few of my favorite short story writers also happen to be my favorite poets or novelists. I have yet to read a significant number of Le Guin short stories, but I have a plan to read several collections next year. So, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, she will become my absolute favorite writer overall.
In essence, what I'm trying to convey is that this is a truly outstanding collection. It offers a rich and diverse range of literary experiences that are sure to captivate and inspire readers. Whether you're a fan of poetry or prose, there's something in this collection for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
This is my third Le Guin poetry collection, and I wholeheartedly think that she is one of my all-time favorite poets. Moreover, she is also one of my favorite prose writers, which places her in a unique category all her own. Few of my favorite short story writers also happen to be my favorite poets or novelists. I have yet to read a significant number of Le Guin short stories, but I have a plan to read several collections next year. So, perhaps in the not-too-distant future, she will become my absolute favorite writer overall.
In essence, what I'm trying to convey is that this is a truly outstanding collection. It offers a rich and diverse range of literary experiences that are sure to captivate and inspire readers. Whether you're a fan of poetry or prose, there's something in this collection for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
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