Monday, November 03, 2008

Monday Poetry Train Revisited: Sylvia Plath's Ariel

Instead of poetry, I am posting this review of Ariel by Sylvia Plath for Monday Poetry Train Revisited. As she is one of my favourite poets, I thought this is one way of paying tribute to her.


Title: Ariel
Author: Sylvia Plath
ISBN: 9780060931728
Publisher: HarperPerennial Modern Classics
Pages: 105
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 5/5

Plath's poetry borders on the dark. But it is very real. How does one review it, other than saying I liked it and will read it again and again.

Plath has taken poetry to new heights. These impassioned pieces touch our soul to the core. They speak of turbulent emotions with a brilliancy bordering on the raw side of life. Starknes of her poems enhances the austerity beautifully. The imaginary word comes alive out of her poetry.

Her poetry is so deeply personal yet I connected with it. Her female essence marvellously comes out of the depth of her imagination. All aspects of a woman..charming, witty, acerbic, playful, girlish, sour, fanciful and much more can be found here. She does get a bit repetitive at times but which great poet doesn't.

Each and every poem in this collection is work of greatness. To be read, savoured and read again. A must read for poetry lovers and all those who ought to read poetry.

15 comments:

sage said...

I too have loved Plath's poetry, her life story is tragic, like much of her poetry

Roan said...

I enjoy Plath's poetry as well.

I'm going to try to link as per your instructions. I hope I don't mess it up!

Scandalous

Roan said...

Woo Hoo! It worked. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I read The Bell Jar ages ago, and not that much of her poetry, but you've piqued my interest again. Might be a good winter project to go back and read more.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

If you can believe it, I've never read any of Sylvia Plath's poetry. I'll have to address that - soon!

((hugs)) to you for finding the Poetry Train and getting it back on the track.

poefusion said...

Hello! What a wonderful choice for your first Monday Poetry Train Revisited. I think everyone should take the time to read past poets so they too can grow into a poet with a strong voice as Sylvia Plath. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day.

Linda Jacobs said...

I'm embarrassed to say that I've never read much of her poetry. Terrible, I know! I own hundreds of poetry books but not one of hers.

Thanks for this review that has piqued my interest!

Clockworkchris said...

I as well read The Bell Jar, although not too long ago, shortly after the movie Sylvia came out. Not much of a reader. I do love her poetry and also have been dying to name my first born daughter (no kids yet) Ariel so I will absolutely have to check this out if you say it's good. I'll just get it from amazon today. Thanks!

Joy Renee said...

I have loved Plath for years. She was one of the first poets I began purposefully as opposed to accidentally or by assignment. I once owned a book of her collected poems. Hope to again someday.

I posted about another of poet I respect and also had the honor to meet and study under in the late 1980s. Lawson Fusao Inada currently Poet Laureate of Oregon State

thanx for putting the train back on the track for us

Steve said...

I came, I saw and was some what bemused!

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

very nice!

Anonymous said...

She is one of the top poets I admire, although not her utterly tragic life. Own The Bell Jar and a collection of her poems. I must be drawn to the despair, for I love Dickinson as well. (Well, I also love humor as by e.e. cummings and Ogden Nash.)
Nice post!

polona said...

you make this sound a must read... in fact plath has been on my 'to read' list for a while but never got around to get the book...

sorry i've bene scarse with my comments lately.. i'm going through a blogging crisis, it seems...

Writing on Board said...

Gautami. Plath. Yes. Obama. YES!

Anonymous said...

interestingly i just picked up a remaindered copy of ariel, "the restored edition" reinstating her original manuscript. it's quite fascinating.