All That Divides Us

by Elinor Benedict

Although the poems in this collection are not narrative, they do present a narrative, gradually unspooling the tale of the poet's rebel aunt, who left the family to marry a Chinaman in the 1940s. It's an old story, full of poignancy, mystery, family pride, and doubt.When the aunt returns to die, the poet, now grown, discovers in herself the need to reclaim the connections that her family had severed. She travels to China several times -- to learn...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874212952
• ISBN13: 9780874212952
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Utah State University Press
• Length: 67 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 17 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Fresh Images

This collection of poems piques the reader's senses and maintains interest throughout. The narrative with compelling characterizations keeps the reader moving along and even identifying with the mysterious Chinese aunt and her family in the United States. It is one of those rare books of poetry which you want to read to the very end without putting it down, and yet to enjoy stopping and mulling over individual poems. The encounters between Buddhist, Christian, and Confucian elements lend universal significance. This is the best poetry on today's literary scene.

Hope & Caring & Sharing

This book is the winner of the May Swenson Poetry Award for 2000. While not a narrative poem, the story of the author's aunt that married a "Chinaman" and left her family only to return when she was dying, is as close as one can get. The poems tell of the author's need for connections and a sense of family and humanity that are inspiring and eternal. The bridge over all that divides us is, after all, built on hope and caring and sharing. A Marvelous collection.