Application for Release from the Dream: Poems
Product ID: 18239282
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The eagerly awaited, brilliant, and engaging new poems by Tony Hoagland, author of What Narcissism Means to Me The parade for the slain police officer goes past the bakery and the smell of fresh bread makes the mourners salivate against their will. ―from "Note to Reality" Are we corrupt or innocent, fragmented or whole? Are responsibility and freedom irreconcilable? Do we value memory or succumb to our forgetfulness? Application for Release from the Dream, Tony Hoagland's fifth collection of poems, pursues these questions with the hobnailed abandon of one who needs to know how a citizen of twenty-first-century America can stay human. With whiplash nerve and tender curiosity, Hoagland both surveys the damage and finds the wonder that makes living worthwhile. Mirthful, fearless, and precise, these poems are full of judgment and mercy. Review: Tony Hoagland's poetry captures a sense of our culture in a way unlike any other contemporary poet. - Tony Hoagland's poetry captures a sense of our culture in a way unlike any other contemporary poet. To say that the powerful poems in this book are unique, and layered with both psychological and spiritual dimensions, would be an understatement. Collectively, there is a poignancy common to the poems, many presented as narratives, personal histories retold that are comic, sad, and biting. One of Tony Hoagland's greatest poetic gifts is how he summons the underlying sentiments that pervade our lives with poems that have a wide audience appeal. This poet is someone worth reading, his poetry authentic, moving, and worthy of our respect. Dan Guenther Review: To be read with caution - Five stars for quality – Hoagland was a significant poet. But caution: if you have any suicidal tendencies, you may wish to consult your therapist before exposing yourself to his poetry. Yes, there is humor, and many a fine turn of phrase, but, in his own language: “Underneath the smile is bitterness, and underneath the bitterness is grief, and underneath the grief the desire to survive at any cost.” Airport, p. 41. That is an excellent description of Hoagland’s poetry, but the survival part can get lost in the midst of the bitterness and grief, so be careful.
| Best Sellers Rank | #325,818 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #172 in Family Poetry (Books) #323 in Death, Grief & Loss Poetry (Books) #1,171 in American Poetry (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 124 Reviews |
D**R
Tony Hoagland's poetry captures a sense of our culture in a way unlike any other contemporary poet.
Tony Hoagland's poetry captures a sense of our culture in a way unlike any other contemporary poet. To say that the powerful poems in this book are unique, and layered with both psychological and spiritual dimensions, would be an understatement. Collectively, there is a poignancy common to the poems, many presented as narratives, personal histories retold that are comic, sad, and biting. One of Tony Hoagland's greatest poetic gifts is how he summons the underlying sentiments that pervade our lives with poems that have a wide audience appeal. This poet is someone worth reading, his poetry authentic, moving, and worthy of our respect. Dan Guenther
S**E
To be read with caution
Five stars for quality – Hoagland was a significant poet. But caution: if you have any suicidal tendencies, you may wish to consult your therapist before exposing yourself to his poetry. Yes, there is humor, and many a fine turn of phrase, but, in his own language: “Underneath the smile is bitterness, and underneath the bitterness is grief, and underneath the grief the desire to survive at any cost.” Airport, p. 41. That is an excellent description of Hoagland’s poetry, but the survival part can get lost in the midst of the bitterness and grief, so be careful.
I**Y
Hoagland is consistently one of the best, most surprising poets around
Hoagland is consistently one of the best, most surprising poets around. His poems are funny the way life can be funny -- not ha-ha funny but in the very real and odd way life twists and turns. You would think at some point he would go all in for the joke, but he never loses his very subtle and unnerving grasp of the deeply human tension in even the most trivial events. his books just keep getting better and better. This is no exception to that rule.
C**S
Bright light
Much like Billy Collins style, just right for occasional reading, thoughtful
K**.
Lovely and cynical.
Related to me on a spiritual level. Very cynical, and that's the mood I wanted to be in when I read it. Even poems I couldn't relate to content-wise (lots of stuff about divorce) I related to emotions-wise. One of my favorite books of poetry.
L**R
You had me at the word "Application"
Wow. Can I have a crush on a poet after reading one poem? I do now, but it doesn't end at one poem. Tony Hoagland has created 81 pages of perfection in poetic form. Seeing the world through his eyes is an incredible high -- simple scenes elevated by observations laced with humor and reality. Tony Hoagland, you get us.
C**R
Down to earth
I read this book by Tony Hoagland because, upon his death, a friend posted on FB about how much she liked his work and would miss looking forward to his new poems. I like it too, and understand her feeling. His language is uncluttered and captures everyday experience in a refreshing way.
R**M
A Compelling Book of Poetic Tensions
Aside from a few didactic moments, this is a book of wonderful self-exploration and boiling tensions between art and suffering, desire and despair.
J**R
CLASSIC HOAGLAND
One of Hoagland’s wisest works. These are the reflections of a dying man who regrets much, and nothing, at one and the same time.
K**I
Nice
Interesting book, thanks
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