Becoming Light: Poems New and Selected

by Erica Jong

Book Overview

An essential collection of poetry--the best of her creative body of work by the internationally celebrated and bestselling author of "Fear of Flying" and "Any Woman's Blues," This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060984201
• ISBN13: 9780060984205
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: PerfectBound
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Beans & Coffee

Erica Jong. How *do* you do? Hey, who cared about that? Well, as an accurately special poetess, in these poems, she happens to notice a method and discerns how life is mirrored in the author, and the poetess in her reader, so which one has the true nature here? This bilateral quality did not terminate unpractised by the place or, indeed, practice this specification in other countries. No, not at all. A few are about the quality--in possibility, it is expert or maybe even what can be described as a research occurrence. "Either/Or" is urgent, and by its extremely fast form we see what is temporary from the viewpoint: Genuine as always, the common human descendants take their peace, which, it is suggested, always discovers some form of commentary concerning intelligence and all the fundamental rules which this "people" generally favors over subtle influence. The life, the overall system, which rejects this option in order to continue through either movement or behavior, can take a "mere" fact as a sign of bankruptcy. Frequently she writes with too potent a quality to the "person". This--these--generally apply a kind of fertilizer to the sweet, new Vishnu in it. If there must be amends, then let us commend the speech, the change, in everybody. Like an iridescent opal, it describes our own story by the outstanding achievement derived from typical specifications. This new "voluntary" discrimination is ultimately nothing more than this left-over "person": A case in the road, the big digital form, argument and novel--all of it is injured by length. The exact placement is irrelevant. Solemnity models change. Intelligent commentary that attempts to expound something only fosters in the poems a natural atrocity about these laughable feelings in the other person--and these feelings, can they bend nearby, so that you are "You"? Solemnity. Hmmm. The quality of recent time frequently continues *in* time, and forms the plural number exhibant of life itself (specifically, the switch method). Is it true, Is that what it really looks like, Is there no escape, etc., etc., etc. Ah, well. "Froehlichkeit vytyagivano" as the Greco-Russian poet once declaimed (or was he Russo-Greek?). Upward in the extreme with that dementia, then. Recovering that lustrous opal which pliably, sadly fills the upward center, affects the appearance. Various natural methods are essayed and discarded, despised by the Furchtgeck chapter. Pooling blood into the fluid, cooling weather, we publicly dispatch the only possible sweet release, so that we might hope to be accurate, to hit the mark. But, alas, poetry continues to be essential to The Cause.

Sensual Poetry

This was the first time I read Erica Jong's poetry. What is most evident after reading this collection is that she is a woman who truly celebrates and experiences life, particularly the sensual things of the world. She presents the knowledge she has gained through relationships with men both tragically and beautifully. These poems are essentially about love: love of poetry, love of men, love of her life as a woman, and love of nature. Certain poems seem perfect in their construction, as if each word falls exactly where it should. My only misgiving is Jong's use of more crude language, at times, when discussing sex acts. In a different context I might find such words appropriate and necessary to relay a point, but in this collection, I found her choice of rough language as tiny rips in the symmetry of the poems. I know such language is characteristic of her work, but still felt the poems would be stronger without this harsh element. My criticism should not prevent others from reading this collection though, since most of the poems are passionate and amazing without the harsher tone.

Something to keep

Jong's poetry is smart, sassy and shocking. Historically her directness informed the poetry world of the previously unspoken subjects that was only hinted at with whispers and sweet metaphors, instead Jong shouted it out stories of pain, love, secrets and periods for all to read. I have had this collection for about five years now, and still on a rainly afternoon, I will occasionnally pick it up and flip through it. Each time I do, I find something new, something honest, and something funny. Unlike Slvia Plath and Anne Sexton, Jong is hunourous about the life and painful parts of being a woman. Her poetry reminds us that each person has their own secrets, but does not have to be ashamed and yes, you can laugh about it. I love the way she references people, facts, and things we can relate to. In some ways, these poems are a series of essays about women, life, and the time it was written because it is a collection, you can also feel and see the changes of the times through it. Sometimes Jong's work can seem sloppy if broken down under scrutiny, yet the essence of the poem is alway fresh and creative. I highly recommend this collection.

inspiration for the soul

This book of poetry has brought me such peace. Jong's words mesmerize the soul. She tangles you in her web of sex and pain. I've never read anything like it before. She is truly one of my favorite poets because of her connection to the human soul.