Mark Strand was an American poet and essayist whose work is characterized by melancholic introspection and an exploration of everyday existence. In his poetry, he masterfully captured feelings of alienation, transience, and the quiet absurdity of life. His style is often described as dry, direct, and unexpectedly witty, even as it touches upon deeply human themes. Strand's literary legacy lies in his ability to transform seemingly ordinary moments into poetic meditations on the nature of our reality.
This deluxe edition features the only collection of short fiction by a former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. As part of the Ecco Art of the Story series, it showcases the author's unique storytelling style and literary prowess, offering readers a blend of poetic language and compelling narratives.
"A collection of all of the poet Mark Strand's previously published poems"--
Ethereal, melancholic and ironic, these poems return us to the power and beauty that won the Pulitzer Prize for his 2005 collection 'Blizzard of One'.
From Pulitzer Prize–winner Mark Strand comes an exquisitely witty and poignant series of prose poems. Sometimes appearing as pure prose, sometimes as impure poetry, but always with Strand’s clarity and simplicity of style, they are like riddles, their answers vanishing just as they appear within reach. Fable, domestic satire, meditation, joke, and fantasy all come together in what is arguably the liveliest, most entertaining book that Strand has yet written.
„Nawet na pozór najprostsze z tych wierszy kryją w sobie wielość znaczeń lub subtelną, złożoną wielopiętrowość. I nawet najczarniejsze z nich, najbardziej melancholijne czy najbardziej metafizyczne zyskują lekkość przez humor. W żadnym też, nawet najbardziej lirycznym i nasyconym melancholią, nie ma cienia sentymentalizmu. Kryształowy głos tego poety, niezwykle silny, zaskakujący czasem niespodziewanym słowem, niezwykłym porównaniem, elementem surrealizmu albo groteski, tworzy unikalną poetycką przestrzeń”. - ze wstępu Agnieszki Kołakowskiej
The collection showcases a selection of Mark Strand's poetry, highlighting his evolution from early works like Sleeping with One Eye Open to later celebrated pieces such as Blizzard of One, which won the Pulitzer Prize. It features notable works from throughout his career, including The Continuous Life and his latest collection, Man and Camel. This anthology captures the essence of Strand's unique voice and thematic depth, offering readers a comprehensive view of his contributions to contemporary poetry.
»Strand beweist wieder einmal, daß er in einem Maße, das jeden Kunstkritiker nervös machen muß, die nicht immer verwandten Gaben des Schauens und des Sehens besitzt. Er blickt tiefer in Hoppers Bilder als jeder andere zuvor … Dies ist das gescheiteste Buch, das je über Hopper geschrieben wurde.« Soweit Adam Gopnik, selbst namhafter Kunstkritiker. Tatsächlich sind Mark Strands Texte zu 30 Gemälden von Edward Hopper nicht nur brillante Essays, sondern auch eine Schule des Sehens. Die scheinbar so vertrauten Hopper-Ikonen – wie Nighthawks, House by the Railroad oder Sun in an Empty Room – erscheinen in Strands luziden Bildbetrachtungen, die nicht interpretieren, vielmehr zum genauen Hinsehen animieren wollen, in einem neuen Licht, das alle Hopper-Klischees und liebgewordenen Sehgewohnheiten vergessen läßt. Mark Strand (geb. 1934), Professor an der University of Chicago und Pulitzer-Preisträger, hat neun Gedichtbände sowie zahlreiche Essays, Erzählungen, Übersetzungen und Monographien über zeitgenössische Künstler veröffentlicht.
Mark Strand's poetry captures profound themes and emotions, showcasing his acclaimed work in nine collections, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Blizzard of One. His tenure as the U.S. Poet Laureate in 1990 highlights his significant contributions to literature. Currently, he imparts his knowledge at the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought, enriching the literary landscape while residing in Chicago.
This collection features insightful and humorous writings from a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, exploring the intricacies of poetry's art and nature. It serves as both an engaging master class and a thought-provoking examination, making it appealing to both poetry enthusiasts and those seeking a deeper understanding of the craft.
This anthology features a curated selection of classic poetry, showcasing the unique vision of the 1990 U.S. poet laureate. It marks the beginning of a new series that emphasizes personalized collections, offering readers a fresh perspective on timeless works.