- Paperback: 297 pages
- Publisher: Vintage Books; Vintage Classics ed edition (1 Nov 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 067972818X
- ISBN-13: 978-0679728184
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.4 x 1.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,160,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
With the publication of his first book of poems, The Weary Blues, in 1926, Langston Hughes electrified readers and launched a renaissance in black writing in America. The poems Hughes wrote celebrated the experience of invisible men and women: of slaves who "rushed the boots of Washington"; of musicians on Lenox Avenue; of the poor and the lovesick; of losers in "the raffle of night." They conveyed that experience in a voice that blended the spoken with the sung, that turned poetic lines into the phrases of jazz and blues, and that ripped through the curtain separating high from popular culture. They spanned the range from the lyric to the polemic, ringing out "wonder and pain and terror-- and the marrow of the bone of life."
The poems in this collection were chosen by Hughes himself shortly before his death in 1967 and represent work from his entire career, including "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "The Weary Blues," "Still Here," "Song for a Dark Girl," "Montage of a Dream Deferred," and "Refugee in America." It gives us a poet of extraordinary range, directness, and stylistic virtuosity.
The poems in this collection were chosen by Hughes himself shortly before his death in 1967 and represent work from his entire career, including "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "The Weary Blues," "Still Here," "Song for a Dark Girl," "Montage of a Dream Deferred," and "Refugee in America." It gives us a poet of extraordinary range, directness, and stylistic virtuosity.
About the Author
Langston Hughes was born in 1902. His first poem in a nationally known magazine was 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' which appeared in Crisis in 1921. In 1925, Hughes was awarded the first Prize for Poetry by Opportunity magazines for his poem 'The Weary Blue' which gave its title to his first book of poems, published in 1926. He wrote poetry, short stories, song lyrics, essays, humour and plays, and an autobiography, The Big Sea.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This selection of Langston Hughes' poems is not only a worthwhile (and modestly priced addition!) to any poetry lover's library, but should be considered essential reading for anyone interested in jazz, blues, hip-hop, rap, Black American history as well as anyone experiencing the highs and lows of being alive.
The speaker may be a gospel preacher or a brothel's madam, it may be a young girl anxious to rush out and meet her boyfriend at the corner of the street or it may be a woman worn down by the unending struggle to make ends meet while her man only wants to gamble or drink the money away. Whoever is speaking in the poem it is the authentic sound of that person and that time. One might imagine that this would make for a trite and banal repetition of cliches and general inarticulacy - so, what is it that lifts these poems from a mere record of everyday colloquial speech at a certain period in history to poetry that is memorable and holds universal appeal?
First and foremost it is because Hughes is a poet who observes keenly as well as compassionately (see 'The Litany') - he writes from the inside, but with the door ajar, and it is through that door that we come in, as readers from all different countries, ages and backgrounds. Is it only the accuracy of his vision that draws us in? No, we're enticed in by the music of his poetry as well. Nowadays in music we're familiar with the term 'crossover' - well, here is an early master of it, with the boundaries constantly merging between lyrical poetry and the poetry of jazz, blues and gospel music.
'A Dream Deferred' could have been written today for all its relevance to young people growing up in poverty and without the opportunity to realise even the most basic dreams. It has an insistent beat and message, but it does not descend into agitprop verse. It should be required reading for all politicians all around the world - but until that day comes, read it yourself along with the other poems in this wonderful selection. The music will carry you along and you won't regret it.
Format:Paperback
This was a gift received by me. It certainly arrived in time for my birthday, so I assume the delivery was within the specified time. The book is excellent, the poems brilliant, but I am biased as he is my favorite poet.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
11 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Hughes is Pure
18 Mar 2003
Format:Paperback
I had read several Hughes poems before buying this book, but I will admit that I had no grasp on the extent of his talent. These vivid poems were chosen by Hughes personally before his death in 1967.
They do so well to paint a picture of the time he lived -- of the blues, of love, of passion, of choices. He writes about faith and protest in a way that will move you.
I have read all of the poems exactly as they are placed in the book several times. I think I keep going back to them because this is poetry free of pretense -- it is grounded in reality and in sorrow.
Independent of age, of your ethnicity, and of your literary grasp, you will enjoy these poems. Simple and superb -- read them out loud.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Dreams Deferred
16 July 2001
Format:Paperback
Langston Hughes wrote poetry of exquisite pain and beauty throughout his life. His poetry can be sparse and rhythmic. It evinces visions of cities, the south, churches and deep muddy rivers.
Hughes touches on every subject important to life in 20th century America: family, friends, race, religion,love, music, prejudice and poverty. Each poem sparingly provides an image in words. Together these poems represent the great work of a true artist of the American Poetry.
One of his most popular and poignant poems is Harlem. It contains such beauty in his phrase - "a dream deferred" and such power in his words or does it explode?
I recommend this highly to anyone interested in modern poets and poetry.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
He, too, sang America
15 Oct 2001
Format:Paperback
"Selected Poems of Langston Hughes" is a rich selection from several decades of this poet's work. Hughes (1902-1967) is a poet of many moods and voices. His work is at times mournful, humorous, sensuous, or ironic. Many poems capture the rhythms of African-American vernacular speech. A number of narrative poems tell stories of Black life, and a number of his best poems feature female speakers. He also writes poems of social protest that deal with the anti-Black violence that has plagued the United States for so much of its history.
The poems in this book are divided into several sections. One of my favorite such sections, "Feet of Jesus," contains poems which evoke the prayers, preaching, and religious songs of African-American churches. "Madam to You" contains a number of poems in which Alberta K. Johnson tells her story. A strong-willed entrepreneur who often challenges authority figures, "Madam" is one of the most delightful characters in African-American literature.
The other sections of the book contain many of Hughes' most memorable poems: the sensuous "Midnight Dancer" ("Lips / Sweet as purple dew"), "Mother to Son" ("Life for me ain't been no crystal stair"), "Theme for English B" ("I am the only colored student in my class"), and "I, Too" ("I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother").
The lines I quoted from "I, Too" may call to mind Walt Whitman's great American poem "Leaves of Grass." Indeed, I consider Hughes to be one of the great 20th century poetic heirs of Whitman, and "Selected Poems" is a magnificent testament to Hughes' passion and vision.
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