This is Frank Bidart's first book of lyrics--his first book not dominated by long poems. Narrative elaboration becomes speed and song. Less embattled than earlier work, less actively violent, these new poems have, by conceding time's finalities and triumphs, acquired a dark radiance unlike anything seen before in Bidart's long career. Mortality--imminent, not theoretical--forces the self to question the relation between the actual life lived and what was once the promise of transformation. This plays out against a broad ...
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This is Frank Bidart's first book of lyrics--his first book not dominated by long poems. Narrative elaboration becomes speed and song. Less embattled than earlier work, less actively violent, these new poems have, by conceding time's finalities and triumphs, acquired a dark radiance unlike anything seen before in Bidart's long career. Mortality--imminent, not theoretical--forces the self to question the relation between the actual life lived and what was once the promise of transformation. This plays out against a broad landscape. The book opens with Marilyn Monroe, followed by the glamour of the eighth-century Chinese imperial court (seen through the eyes of one of China's greatest poets, Tu Fu). At the center of the book is an ambitious meditation on the Russian ballerina Ulanova, "Giselle," and the nature of tragedy. All this gives new dimension and poignance to Bidart's recurring preoccupation with the human need to leave behind some record or emblem, a made thing that stands, in the face of death, for the possibilities of art. Bidart, winner of the 2007 Bollingen Prize in American Poetry, is widely acknowledged as one of the significant poets of his time. This is perhaps his most accessible, mysterious, and austerely beautiful book.
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Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $18.35, good condition, Sold by Anybook rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lincoln, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2008 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 350grams, ISBN: 9780374286033.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $17.69, very good condition, Sold by Halcyon Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from LONDON, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2008 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival: Poems to cart. $9.25, very good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $10.48, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $10.48, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $10.48, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $11.00, very good condition, Sold by Xenith Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Pittsburgh, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival: Poems to cart. $11.82, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival to cart. $27.00, very good condition, Sold by Ebenezer Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hyde Park, VT, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 58 p. Audience: General/trade. This is an unread first edition that went unnoticed on a bookstore shelf...from 2008 until 2023. Its leading edge is sun-faded several shades on the orange leading edge. The boards are faded only at the top edges of the book. The binding is tight (this book was never thumbed-through) and the pages are immaculate.
Add this copy of Watching the Spring Festival: Poems to cart. $15.12, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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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!
