This collection of stunningly beautiful poems encompasses the natural, human, and spiritual realms, and is bound together by the universal themes of time and mortality. With clarity and sureness of craft, Gluck's poetry questions, explores, and finally celebrates the ordeal of being alive. 1992 National Book Award finalist.
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In an earlier set of poems, The Garden, Gluck retold the myth of Eden; in this sequence it is clear that paradise has been lost, and the poet, Eve-like, struggles to make sense of her place in the universe. For this old and still post-modern theme, Gluck bravely takes the risk of adopting a highly symbolic structure. She uses the conceit of parallel discourses between the flowers of a garden and the gardener (the poet), and between the gardener/poet and an unnamed god. The reader shares the poet's human predicament of being caught between these material and spiritual worlds, each lush and musical, drawing inspiration from both: from the flowers, a hymn to communality; from the god, a universal view of human suffering. The collection was awarded the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for poetry.
From Publishers Weekly
The award-winning author of The Triumph of Achilles looks here at relations between heaven and earth. More than half of the poems address an "unreachable father," or are spoken in a voice meant to be his: "Your souls should have been immense by now, / not what they are, / small talking things . . . This ambitious and original work consists of a series of "matins," "vespers," poems about flowers, and others about the seasons or times of day, carrying forward a dialogue between the human and divine. This is poetry of great beauty, where lamentation, doubt and praise show us a god who can blast or console, but who too often leaves us alone; Gluck, then, wishes to understand a world where peace "rushes through me, / . . . like bright light through the bare tree." Only rarely (in "The Doorway," for example) does the writing fail. But when dialogue melds with lyricism, the result is splendid. In "Violets" the speaker tells her "dear / suffering master": "you / are no more lost / than we are, under / the hawthorn tree, the hawthorn holding / balanced trays of pearls." This important book has a powerful, muted strangeness.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
If you read any poetry this year, read this book.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The works at first appear dark and daunting, after some contemplation one sees life in a new light, of hope, and connection, renewal, and rebirth! Louise Gluck speaks to us all!
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The Wild Iris has garnered much praise but its poetry is precious and pretentious. Gluck has been one of the most over-praised poets in America. Time will reshuffle the deck, and then future readers will wonder what the fuss was all about. Her early work can still make an impact; there is a haunting, understated quality to it that makes reading it somewhat pleasurable. There's little of that to be found in The Wild Iris, however.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very important book
One of the best books of poetry I've ever read. Each time I pick it up I am newly astounded at the elegance and beauitfully contained passion of these poems. Read more
Published on Oct 28 2000 by N. Dethloff
5.0 out of 5 stars
The culmination of Gluck's writing
This book is amazing and well-deserving of the Pulitzer Prize it received. If you enjoyed "The Meadowlands" or are a fan of Gluck in general, then you will find... Read more
Published on May 5 2000
2.0 out of 5 stars
First time reader not thrilled ...
The Wild Iris by Pulitzer Prize winner Louise Glück combines images of flowers and gardening with emotions of spiritual longing, despair, and frustration. Read more
Published on April 24 2000 by Shoshana Stenrlicht
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elegantly Complex
Iris is an elegant and noble flower even if it is a wild one.Ms. Glück sends us flowers of pain, love and dream.They come in thin bundles but mean so much...
Published on Dec 1 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Portrait of Life Struggling with Illusion
I loved this book! I picked this collection of transcendant poems while a senior in high school and was enthralled with its poignancy. Read more
Published on Jun 3 1999 by "bluestarla"
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating Collection of Poems
The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck is an intriguing collection of poems centered around life forms which seem to be present in her garden. Read more
Published on Nov 24 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Human Emotions Brought to Life Through Flowers
Wild Iris, a book of poems, which allows one to visualize the personification of human emotions as a metaphor of flowers. Read more
Published on Nov 21 1998
4.0 out of 5 stars
iT WAS SO ENJOYABLE. VERY INTIMATE AND EMOTIONAL.
lOUISE gLUCK HAS PUT TOGETHER A FASCINATING GROUP OF POEMS THAT SPEAK FROM HER HEART. hER USE OF NATURE HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP TO FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS.
Published on Nov 17 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent depiction of the fragility and true nature of life
Wild Iris blooms with spiritual beauty in relationship to those on Earth, to God and heaven. Following the cycle of nature in her garden her soul transcends her flowers, through... Read more
Published on Nov 17 1998
4.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful account of garden poetry.
Close your eyes and walk outside, to your garden- careful not to stub your toe. You have just entered the vast world of Louise Gluck's "The Wild Iris. Read more
Published on Nov 17 1998
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