Another America/Otra America

by Barbara Kingsolver

Book Overview

This edition contains six new poems, a foreword by Margaret Randall, a new preface by Barbara Kingsolver, and a newly designed cover.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580050042
• ISBN13: 9781580050043
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Seal Press (CA)
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Kingsolver's Most Beautiful Writing

Poems are like songs. And like songs, they should be heard. Listening to Barbara Kingsolver's soothing, lilting voice recite these personal and brilliant poems in the audio version of "Another America" made a long day's drive through the desert a deep and meaningful experience. Her opening essay, outlining her take on how to call oneself a "poet" and how society judges poetry in terms of importance/relevance, was a thought provoking piece for anyone valuing poetry as an art or form of self-expression. Following the essay, her poems are presented in five sections, each separated by acoustic guitars playing with a south-of-the-border flair. Through her poetry, Kingsolver gives much of her soul. It's her most beautiful writing. It ranges from trite and funny observations, "What the Janitor Heard in the Elevator," and, one of my favorites written from the perspective of a one-year-old, "Baby Blues," which made me laugh out loud, to the raw and gritty, "Street Scenes," to the deeply moving and personal. "This House I Cannot Leave," and "Ten Forty-Four," made me shake with emotion. Through these two poems in particular, she turns horror into beauty with true grace. The collection ends with "Your Mother's Eyes," which like many, was a personal dedication. I will listen to this tape again and again and use it to share the beauty of poetry with those I love. This would make a wonderful gift for an artistic, intelligent friend. Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.

Oh my God, what a book

I am still in awe over this fabulous collection of poetry. Never have I read poetry with such passion, craft, and art. Barbara Kingsolver has truly touched my heart with her chosen words. What I would kill to have her gift. These peoms dig deep into the heart of political struggles and triumphs of central america. And as it is said, "the political is the personal." You will read these peopms and your stomach will hurt. The very center of your soul will burn. It takes a great writer to make you feel such emotions. My favorite peom, I say that even though I could never chose a favorite, was a fabulous five part poem called The Loss of My Arms and Legs. You will cry, and if you don't, you have no heart. I am sixteen and in a residential writing school and i feel like quitting now becasue I will never write a poem like This House I cannot Leave. I give my upmost respect to Ms. Kingsolver for a true work of art.

Wonderful poetry for a weary world!

Barbara Kingsolver is a poet extrordinaire! The style of her poet is simple the subject matter is entralling, important, touching, necessary for our world. The entire book only takes about an hour to read, but days and weeks to digest. I found myself crying, laughing, calling friends in the middle of the night to share the beautiful thoughts feelings and love involved in the writings of these poems.As with everything else from Barbara Kingsolver, you'll finish this book a better, more complete person, ready for action in this world of ours. This world that we belong to as much as it belongs to us. We belong to each other as much as we belong to ourselves. We all long for a purpose as simple and perfect as hens': laying a single daily egg, we share the horror of "Juana" who was raped by immigration officials, then deported, we know that the "wolf" deserves a meal! Read this book, this poetry will touch you, change you, make you more human, more animal.

Amazing Poetry

Barbara Kingsolver's recent reprint of Another America: Otra America through Seal Press is easily the best poetry I have ever read. The enormously popular novelist of such titles as The Bean Trees and The Poisonwood Bible is also an amazing poet. Another America's poems range from powerfully political, such as "Our Father Who Drowns the Birds," to intensely intimate, as in "Refuge." Yet all of the poems are tightly woven together in this collection by ribbons of feminine strength and rebellion. Kingsolver's poetic art is further magnified by the Spanish translation provided by Rebeca Cartes, and as the introduction states, "these two languages linked give birth to a third." A third language that bypases the ears, eyes, and mind, and slowly seeps into the heart of the reader. This collection of poetry will inspire all women to look at the world, and their role in the world, in a new uplifting and powerful light with the mantra, "I remain because / the potential of my body is a universe."

I can't believe this is out of print. What a tremendous loss

I will read anything Barbara Kingsolver writes, but this book of poetry is particularly overwhelming. Her poems are so accessible and so moving. "The House I cannot Leave" stands out as especially significant, but they are all outstanding. Even a non-poetry lover will enjoy this book of poems.