Poetry Bookclub 2

[Jozanny]

I have no great problem with Montale that I know of; that he is an Italian modernist doesn't automatically earn him my featly (and I can see Virgil raise an eyebrow, given my largesse toward the homeland...) but I am still stuck in the same refrain of journeying for my supper. I will not take the bus to Paley simply for a book of poetry--because; however, if I can manage with my ailing chair, I'll check the public branch next week, although I am hesitant to be optimistic.

I purchased Tate to treat myself, and believe he is worth a rare dessert, but I can't splurge on too much for the sake of this club.

[JBI]

AS it is 12:00 now, I guess we can say Montale has won? If so, can we start selecting editions? Preferably a bilingual one, but that is not a necessity - the most readily available large one I can seem to find is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Poem...3697430&sr=8-1 and I can't seem to find a complete works, but the reviews, if they are to be trusted, seem to be conflicting. Perhaps we would prefer a single volume however?

[quasimodo1]

JBI: [Collected Poems, 1920-1954: Revised Bilingual Edition (Paperback)
by Eugenio Montale (Author), Jonathan Galassi (Translator)] This collection sounds perfect and bilingual is best, as far as I'm concerned. I'm waiting for Stlukes. to suggest one, as per my request, since he is more familiar than I. Thanks. PS: B&N has this text also... http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...+Montale&SAT=1

[quasimodo1]

"Doubt" from The Collected Poems (1920-1954)
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux - Translated by Jonathan Galassi
Obtained from Musil Institute

I was giving a lecture
to the "Friends of Cacania"
on the subject "Is Life Likely?"
when I remembered I
was totally agnostic,
love and hate in equal parts and the outcome
unsure, depending on the moment.
Then I decided five minutes
were enough--
two and a half for the thesis
two and a half for the antithesis
this was the only homage possible
for a man without qualities.
I spoke exactly thirty-five seconds.
And when I said
that yes and no were look alikes
shouts and whispers interrupted my talk
and I awoke. It was the most laconic dream
of my life, maybe the only one not devoid
of "quality."

{this early tidbit from Project Muse}

[JBI]

"Doubt" from The Collected Poems (1920-1954)
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux - Translated by Jonathan Galassi
Obtained from Musil Institute

I was giving a lecture
to the "Friends of Cacania"
on the subject "Is Life Likely?"
when I remembered I
was totally agnostic,
love and hate in equal parts and the outcome
unsure, depending on the moment.
Then I decided five minutes
were enough--
two and a half for the thesis
two and a half for the antithesis
this was the only homage possible
for a man without qualities.
I spoke exactly thirty-five seconds.
And when I said
that yes and no were look alikes
shouts and whispers interrupted my talk
and I awoke. It was the most laconic dream
of my life, maybe the only one not devoid
of "quality."

{this early tidbit from Project Muse}

Any chance you have the original Italian?

[quasimodo1]

I have access to it but I just enrolled so it might take some time.

[mortalterror]

Yes... but then there's always MortalTerror who may just vote for Plath simply because JBI and I have expressed a dislike for her work.

I was actually trying to keep out of that mess; but incidentally I loved her book, and liked some of the poems I've read by her. When I read The Bell Jar in high school, I thought it was Catcher in the Rye for chicks, which would explain why you wouldn't go for it.

My earlier participation was prompted more out of a love of Ovid than an interest in Roethke. I don't know much about these modern poets; but I'm sure whatever you choose will be fine.

[stlukesguild]

If Montale were to be selected I would suggest one of two highly regarded translators. The first is William Arrowsmith; the second is Jonathan Galassi. Both translations have been acclaimed by some rather discerning critics including Anthony Hecht and Harold Bloom, although I personally prefer Arrowsmith's translations... but then again, these are the ones I was first introduced to Montale on. The Galassi translation can be seen here:

http://www.amazon.com/Collected-Poem...3704695&sr=1-1

This volume includes Montale's three major collections: Cuttlefish Bones, The Occasions, and The Storm and other Poems. It might be the best deal if someone were to wish for a broader survey of the poet's work. Arrowsmith translated all three of these volumes as well as Satura, a volume of late poems. Unfortunately only Satura and Cuttlefish Bones are still in print. On the other hand, A complete survey of Montale's work might be too much to begin with. Cuttlefish Bones is a seminal collection... not unlike The Wasteland and other Poems, Pasternak's My Sister-Life, Rilke's New Poems or Duino Elegies, etc... It contains many of Montale's most famous poems and is far less hermetic than some of the later work. It might also be more informative to explore a body of work intended as a unified whole as opposed to a retrospective volume.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuttlefish-Bon...3704695&sr=1-2

Either volume contains both the Italian and the English facing... useful for JBI and Petrarch. Both are also voluminously annotated. Again... if Montale were/is the clear winner of the poll I have no problem with using either of these books... both of which I own... but I would again lean toward Arrosmith who seems to be THE Montale translator much as Hamburger is THE Holderlin translator.

[mortalterror]

William Arrowsmith is the man! His translation of Petronius' Satyricon is amazing; some of the best I've ever seen. His translations of Euripides are also pretty great. He has a collection of the ancient Greek plays translated entirely by poets, which beats the heck out of those cheap Grene and Lattimore volumes everyone's always buying.

[quasimodo1]

If you, Mortal and Stlukes are in enthusiastic agreement on Arrowsmith, then I'll try to make sure whatever collection we use will be translated by him. The two comparisons that Stlukes sent seem to prove your point. Montale looks to be a fascinating study.

[stlukesguild]

William Arrowsmith is the man! His translation of Petronius' Satyricon is amazing; some of the best I've ever seen. His translations of Euripides are also pretty great. He has a collection of the ancient Greek plays translated entirely by poets, which beats the heck out of those cheap Grene and Lattimore volumes everyone's always buying.

Mark the calendar, Mortal. We actually agree with all you have said!

[stlukesguild]

PS... I fixed the broken links to Amazon and the two translations discussed... including Arrowsmith's Cuttlefish Bones.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuttlefish-Bon...3704695&sr=1-2

[Bitterfly]

Answering Quasimodo, who doesn't seem to be authorised to receive messages, for some reason!

I did go and look at the choice of poets that was offered, but didn't feel eligible to vote, for a simple reason: I have a lot of work to do, and don't have easy access to the books you've put up for the vote! So I'll be following what you all say with a lot of interest, but don't know if I'll be able to join in very much, therefore I felt I shouldn't be trying to impose my preferences!

Plus I'm not really sure about the relevance of studying poets in translation - reading them for pleasure, why not (although I like to have the original under my eyes). I probably would have voted for Bishop or Plath for that reason (and there, I've ended up choosing ).

[Virgil]

So has it been decided? Is it Montale? If so I will need to order the book. I guess that Arrowsmith translation is the preferred? But unfotunately the Arrowsmith book only has seven years worth of Montale's poetry, while the other one has a life span.

[JBI]

So has it been decided? Is it Montale? If so I will need to order the book. I guess that Arrowsmith translation is the preferred? But unfotunately the Arrowsmith book only has seven years worth of Montale's poetry, while the other one has a life span.

Half life - it goes up to 54 I believe, but he published past that - though apparently not too much.

Now I feel bad for not buying that complete poems copy I saw in an Italian book store for 9 Euros (hardcover). Though it wouldn't have the English, it would have had the complete selection - oh well, opted for Campana instead for some reason.