Spoon River Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions: Poetry)

Homespun

This classic book was reprinted from the original 1915 edition. The Spoon River Anthology by the late poet Edgar Lee Masters has become a classic and must reading for anyone who is interested in poetry. I was only slightly knowledgeable on this unique Spoon River book of free-verse monologues before reading this text. The late American poet Edgar Lee Masters wrote this interesting story in which the dead citizens of a mythical Midwestern town (Spoon River) speak from the grave. There are more than 215 individuals who speak in this volume. The wide variety of emotions and thoughts of these dead people are revealed. There are themes of sadness, anger, love and hope in these voices from the grave.Even though I do not like the so-called "modern free verse" poetry form; nevertheless, I found these monologues of voices from the grave interesting and thought provoking. This is a very unique book and many of the stories will make you think about your own life. If you are into classic literature and poetry this book should be on your must read list.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Samurai Soul: An old warrior's poetic tribute).

I got this as a text book for an acting class. We were supposed to use the poems as theatrical monologues. They have rich materials for learning to portray various types of roles.The thing is a bit dated -- having been written in 1915 about fictional people who lived in the 19th century, but still very usable for monologues.It is a bit of a downer, as it's all epitaphs -- what would have been written on people's graves -- and mostly they have a lot of regrets and resentments. Still it's useful for an acting class

I loved reading this novel approach to examining the lives and thoughts of the people who lived, loved, and passed on in our typical American small-towns. This book would be an excellent companion-read to "Winesburg, Ohio" and "Our Town", or addition to your personal library. The trio would also make a terrific gift to anyone who appreciates American Literature.

100 years later and Edgar Lee Masters classic is as powerful and moving as when it was published. The entire book can be read in an hour, but if you are like most people you will go back and read it again , many times. I recommend the 1920 MacMillian Co Edition which includes ALL the poems and the original artwork by Oliver Herford and layout as intended by the Author.

This is a very meditative book. Though each epigram is lovely and revealing, the ever-looming presence of death in the piece is interwoven like a character and adds a level of depth to the body of work. A classic work of poetry and an inspiring piece. Maybe the beginning of post-modernism.

I had no idea what the book was about prior to purchase and now I know and I am very pleased.

I have read this book three times. The first in my 30s and the most recent in my 60s. This last time was the best since I am now closer to understanding "the end." This book reads fast as well. After you have read it go to the Spoon River Festival in central Illinois in the Fall and find the cemetery. It does exist.

I came across this book by accident after reading one of the poems from it in another book and was surprised at how striking and fresh this collection was. The conceit of the book is that the inhabitants of Spoon River cemetery recall, in very plain and honest language, their lives and loves. Many of the characters must surely have been based on real people, including the relatives who were still living. Apparently, although Spoon River is a fictional place, it was an amalgam of three towns Edgar Lee Masters knew well and, as a small town lawyer, that must have included the intimate lives of many inhabitants.

I really enjoyed this book / collection of poems. It has a strong anthropological slant to it, where you get to know everyone in the town through what their own ghost is telling you It's certainly very interesting and will challenge some of your outlooks on life, however, it requires dedication and you'll find yourself flipping back-and-forth trying to put together other pieces of the story of people lives and what really happened.Classic literature :)

Nice relaxing read with a hint of irony. Lovely!

I'm reading it bit by bit and enjoying it very much. Great value copy.

fine