Billy Collins is one of America’s bestselling poets; he is also one of the rarest kind – an unalloyed pleasure to read.
Taking off Emily Dickinson's Clothes
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Book Description
‘Billy Collins is one of my favourite poets in the world’ Carol Ann Duffy Readers will only have to open this book at random to realize the privation a life without Billy Collins has been. A writer of immense grace and humanity, Billy Collins shows how the great forces of history and nature converge on the tiniest details of our lives - and in doing so presents them in a new radiance. He is also unbelievably funny. ‘The most popular poet in America’ New York Times ‘Billy Collins writes lovely poems . . . Limpid, gently and consistently startling, more serious than they seem, they describe all the worlds that are and were and some others besides’ John Updike ‘Billy Collins’ medium is a rare amalgam of accessibility and intelligence. I’d follow this man’s mind anywhere. Expect to be surprised’ Michael Donaghy ‘Smart, his strings tuned and resonant, his wonderful eye looping over the things, events and ideas of the world, rueful, playful, warm voiced, easy to love’ E. Annie Proulx
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Coming from Ireland - a world heritage site for poetry tourism - its great to read a serious poet who doesnt take his poetry, his times, or his place in history too solemnly.
Unimpressed by the posturing of many currently "well regarded" poets I found Collins' lightness of touch - his combination of unforgettable images, and cynical, yet unpretentious sentiments - rescuing poetry, for me, from pseuds corner.
I went straight out and bought his stuff when I heard him say in a BBC interview:"Poetry is hard to write; why should it also be hard to read?"
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Remember as a child how clear and funny and intriguing and peculiar the world looked? Remember how your imagination sped off on its own, like a bounding dog, sure it would find something fabulous? I'd forgotten this until I read my first Billy Collins poem. Since then, every one of his poems reminds me of this fresh, open way of seeing the world. Billy Collins restores your childlike eye, and reminds your adult self of all the magic out there in the world. I love him for this.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Billy Collins writes poems that achieve something incredible--he weaves humor and gravity together into an often hilarious and always exquisite braid of words. The simplicity and directness of the voice entice you in, and before you realize it, the poem has had its way with you...and left you breathless and grateful. I highly recommend this book for serious poetry lovers as well as first-time poetry buyers. This is excellent and amazing work.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to Collins
This book is a superb introduction to the poetry of American poet Billy Collins. It is selected poems from four of his books -
The Apple that Astonished Paris,
Questions... Read more
The Apple that Astonished Paris,
Questions... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Glasgow Reader
2.0 out of 5 stars
Stripping it down
This could be in better shape, though not too bad. My main gripe was one particular poem in the collection that was covered in notes by a schoolchild's hand. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Masher
5.0 out of 5 stars
great poems
These poems are funny, thoughtful and how life is, I thought. They are cheery but serious. A great book for the bedside table.
Published 13 months ago by Ann P
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, observant and able to see into your soul...
To read a Billy Collins poem is to be drawn into a conversation, just for two. He sets up a warm intimacy with the reader with such nonchalance and charm that it's hard to imagine... Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2009 by LittleMoon
1.0 out of 5 stars
Resonances
This is one of Billy Collins older collections (1988 I think) but, as an Emily Dickinson fan, I thought I'd start here.
I was expecting humour - he's a witty poet. Read more
I was expecting humour - he's a witty poet. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by Judi Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
A plethoric multitude of excellence
This is by far one of my favourite collections of poetry. With works such as 'Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun In The House' and an amusing parody on the Three Blind mice, you... Read more
Published on 1 May 2003 by Bikarezza
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved it! I love how his poetry is so funny!
I loved the poem "Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House". It was really funny and entertaining. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2002
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Poetry > World > American > 20th Century
- Books > Reference > Language
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
