Items related to The Secret Room (New Directions Paperbook; 838)
Synopsis
James Laughlin, poet and publisher, is known in Italy as Il Catullo americano, the American Catullus. Like the Latin poet whom Laughlin has long called his master, the subject at the heart of his work remains "love/...& the lack of love,/which is what makes evil," but seen now from the wry, often poignant perspective of old age. In his newest collection, The Secret Room, he has gathered nearly 150 poems that address his mature theme in a variety of ways. The philosophical lyrics of "Looking Inward" and the satirical jabs and invectives of "Epigrams and Comic Verses" employ short-line forms, including Laughlin's signature "typewriter metric," originally devised with the advice of William Carlos Williams. "Byways" continues his autobiographical work-in-progress, in a three-stress line borrowed from Kenneth Rexroth. And with "39 Pentastichs," Laughlin introduces a five-line stanza in a natural voice cadence suited to casual observations.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
James Laughlin (1914–1997) founded New Directions in 1936 while still a student at Harvard. He wrote and compiled more than a dozen books of poetry as well as stories and essays; seven volumes of his correspondence with his authors are available from W.W. Norton.
Reviews
Laughlin (Collected Poems, LJ 11/1/93), the founding publisher of New Directions, shares his thoughts with humor and tenderness as he wades in the waters of his golden years. The speaker in many of these poems admires young women and thinks, "I could see I was entirely out of/ my depth." He realizes he is not as strong as he once was, but he can still "make old, sick words sound new." Laughlin has unlocked the soul of an old man to free the life "stored in a hidden room/ At the back of the brain./ Only the keeper of dreams/ Has the key to that hidden room." Laughlin has been a keeper of dreams throughout the 20th century. This book gives us a glance into the source of many of the dreams that have "caught fire and entered into/ The body." Highly recommended.?Tim Gavin, Episcopal Academy, Merion, Pa.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for The Secret Room (New Directions Paperbook; 838)
Stock Image
The Secret Room
Published by
New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1997
ISBN 10: 0811213447
ISBN 13: 9780811213448
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.65. Seller Inventory # G0811213447I4N10
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room
Published by
New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1997
ISBN 10: 0811213447
ISBN 13: 9780811213448
Used
Paperback
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.65. Seller Inventory # G0811213447I4N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room
Published by
New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1997
ISBN 10: 0811213447
ISBN 13: 9780811213448
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP80119000
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room (New Directions Paperbook; 838)
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Very Good - Crisp, clean, unread book with some shelfwear/edgewear, may have a remainder mark - NICE Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0811213447Z2
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room: Poems
Published by
New Directions, New York, New York, U.S.A., 1997
ISBN 10: 0811213447
ISBN 13: 9780811213448
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Vashon Island Books, Vashon, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good+. First Thus. In pictorial wraps, 8vo, 184pp. Size: 8vo - over 7 3/4" - 9 3/4" Tall. Book. Seller Inventory # 0770691
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room: Poems
Seller: Murphy-Brookfield Books, Iowa City SE, IA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Trade Paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # 338267
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Secret Room (New Directions Paperbook; 838)
Seller: Avenue Victor Hugo Books, Newmarket, NH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very good. Reprint. Octavo, 9" tall, 184 pages, stiff illustrated wraps. A very good, generally clean, neat, sturdy paperback with minor shelf wear, binding solid, paper cream white, BUT foxing to the fore-edges (from years spent on the shelf in an unheated 'summer' room). Seller Inventory # 61371
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room: Poems
Published by
New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1997
ISBN 10: 0811213447
ISBN 13: 9780811213448
Used
Softcover
Seller: Powell's Bookstores Chicago, ABAA, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Used - Very Good. 1997. Paperback. Pap. Slight shelf wear. Very Good. Seller Inventory # SIN0006528
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
SECRET ROOM PA
Seller: INDOO, Avenel, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780811213448
Quantity: Over 20 available
Stock Image
The Secret Room
Seller: Kennys Bookstore, Olney, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. 1997. Reprint. Paperback. Keywords: "Subjects - Poetry, Drama & Criticism - Poetry - World - American - 20th Century,Subjects - Poetry, Drama & Criticism - Poetry - World - American - General". Not a first edition copy. . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland. Seller Inventory # KHS0038626
Quantity: 1 available