Mean Time

A bit TOO used!

Carol Ann Duffy has the dubious distinction of being well-enough regarded, now, that former students who were CRUELLY FORCED into reading her poems will go flocking to the internet to air their wrongs. And here we are! There are four reviews from the same person who has apparently never learned how to single-click the 'submit form' button. This is not fair.In reply:"Not a red rose or a satin heart."I give you an onion.It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.It promises lightlike the careful undressing of love."And more like it. If that's something that grabs you by the throat and hurls you to the ground--well--that's lucky, and your life is richer for it. If it doesn't--alas!

Let me begin by saying that Carol Ann Duffy is a poetic genius. She stands alone in the world of poetry with an extreme confidence to tackle taboo subjects such as sex and disease etc. which other poets wouldn't dare speak about. For example; in `Litany' Duffy speaks of subjects that others don't tend to speak of in standard, conventional poems."where no one has cancer, or sex, or debts, and certainly not leukaemia , which no one could spell"Some people may assume that Duffy's work represents the pessimistic views of today's society, but in my opinion, the way you interpret the poets is a personal touch to the understanding of the poems. Duffy has an extreme talent for stimulating the imagination and creativity of her audiences.`Mean Time' reflects life experiences by Duffy herself which she interpreted and condensed into an anthology of profound poems. My personal favourite from `Mean Time' is `Welltread' as it represents schools in a stereotypical way. For example; in every school there is always one teacher that purposely attempts to intimidate his students, the one person everyone is scared of. This poem also portrays how small situations, when you are young can stay with you for the rest of your life."Still smoudlering"This anthology is for you if you enjoy reading poems that are profound and have meaning. Carol Ann Duffy does not specialise in romanticism like many other conventional poets, but down-to-earth, realistic situations, which everyone can relate to in some shape or form.I honestly enjoyed analysing this anthology of poems for my English literature A-level, but if I weren't specialising in English, I would've read `Mean Time' for pleasure anyway.This anthology truly reflects Carol Ann Duffy's best work, and is well worth the time and money.

I think the poems in 'Mean Time' are remarkable, so much so that I believe this selection should be made compulsory for GCSE level English. Duffy after all touches on so many tragedies endemic to the human condition which, while poignant, are also important to take note of. Such tragedies include our inability as humans to return to our past lives, a theme which is evocatively predominant in Beachcomber. Other tragedies include the potential for time to steal loved ones from us, and the innate loneliness that accompanies old age.It is after all important to take note of those moments in time which no matter how hard we try we will never be able to get back to. Duffy herself notes that (i'm paraphrasing here), we're all owed happiness sooner or later. The tricks to remember when we achieved it or to see it coming. After all if we do not take note of such happy experiences as those described in 'The Captain of the 1964 Top of the Form Team' or 'Moments of Grace', what would we possibily have to comfort us in our older years when we seem to be surrounded by nothing but loneliness?

After reading this book for my as level English Literature course I realised that Carol Ann Duffy's poems are very limited in topics and I'd like to take this chance to express my disappointment. For a poet who's supposed to be well known for being a "representative poet of the present day" she doesn't include very many ideas!!I was subjected to many months of torture reading through these poems, one by one, taking notes on the blatently obvious.The captain of the 1964 top of the form team- thinking back to childhoodLitany- thinking back to childhood.Stafford Afternoons- thinking back to childhood.This is what my notes consisted of after all the time spent on them. I was very disappointed in value for money. Bring back Keats into the classroom!

DUFFY FRANKLY LOST ME AFTER THE FIRST LOT OF POEMS, WHAT WAS HER POLITICAL PURPOSE? IT HARD ENOUGH TRYING TO STUDY IT FOR A LEVEL. CAN ANY ONE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY SHE FELT IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE HER POEMS EXPLICIT, IF THIS IS THE STANDARD OF MODERN POETRY TODAY THEN I MIGHT AS WELL GIVE UP NOW!

I have the unfortunate task of having to study this 'poet',as part of my 'A' level English course.I find her poetry to be very limited in imagination, merely concentrating on a very narrow view of issues that obviously she, is passionate about. I feel that this limits her ability as a poet to see things from a different perspective other than her own,but,what do I know,I am merely a student!.

The pages fall out of this run of Duffy's 'Mean Time' collection incredibly easily.From a year group set of 65 copies, all but three have collapsed.Unacceptable quality, especially for the price of such a small paperback collection.

A good collection. Easy to read and you can dip in and out. I bought this as somewhat of a poetry novice and didn't feel out of my depth.

Brought this for my daughter's A level study. Nice page layout, room to make notes at the side.Good price and quick delivery.

Arrived quickly and I was glad as I needed this for my daughters school work

Another book but for my sister as a Christmas present. She said it was a fantastic book and really enjoyed it. She just like to keep her books and read them many times so this will be on a Shelf for many years to come.