In Liu's text the ascent, the ecstatic apprehension of the divine (he is a religious poet, there are no two ways about it, though perhaps there are twenty) can be effected only by a demonic insistence upon abjection, upon the descent. He shrives himself, and his poems show the marks of the lash--they are the lash--and his vision is naturalized to a degree that would astonish his predecessors, that astonishes us. This is a shocking poetry, and the shock is not of recognition, but of estrangement. It makes an unfamiliar claim ...
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In Liu's text the ascent, the ecstatic apprehension of the divine (he is a religious poet, there are no two ways about it, though perhaps there are twenty) can be effected only by a demonic insistence upon abjection, upon the descent. He shrives himself, and his poems show the marks of the lash--they are the lash--and his vision is naturalized to a degree that would astonish his predecessors, that astonishes us. This is a shocking poetry, and the shock is not of recognition, but of estrangement. It makes an unfamiliar claim upon us, the claim of apostasy. --Richard Howard, from the forward
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. No Jacket. First Edition in wrappers only. Inscribed by the author to the poet Ai. Very Good. Unless otherwise noted, our first editions are first printings.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
SIGNED: Foreword by Richard Howard. Close to fine decorative stiff wraps with excellent spine and crisp text throughout. Inscribed by the poet on the half-title page and dated the year of publication. Signed.