{"product_id":"optimism-blues-michael-mcirvin-9781734197044","title":"Optimism Blues: Poems Selected and New","description":"Reviewers respond to \u003ci\u003eOptimism Blues: Poems Selected and New: \u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe compact intensity of Michael McIrvin's poems links him to the strongest vein of American modernist and postmodern poetry, but their philosophical fire is entirely McIrvin's own and constitutes a unique contribution. His \u003ci\u003eDog\u003c\/i\u003e may be the most forcefully developed metaphor since Ted Hughes' \u003ci\u003eCrow\u003c\/i\u003e, but all his work shows an intensely illuminating focus on those moments when perception and metaphysics intersect. (William Doreski) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMichael McIrvin's analysis of the modern American psyche is far beyond almost any other living US poet. His poems are among the best informed and most intelligent you'll find. In fact, McIrvin's vision quest and its resultant insights into the complexities of human nature and the natural world exceed what most poets can ever hope to achieve. (Leonard Cirino) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMcIrvin's voice leads us safely through his unique landscape; half myth, half to help us make sense of our loneliness and suffering. It is its honesty that distinguishes his poetry, that enables it to reach back in time and rescue us from ancient walls and distances. McIrvin's power, clarity, and compassion assure \u003ci\u003eOptimism Blues \u003c\/i\u003ea secure place in American literature. (Simon Perchik) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe authentic voice of Western man remains Job's. Michael McIrvin's \u003ci\u003eOptimism Blues\u003c\/i\u003e is in that ancient tradition: petitioning, pleading, deploring, damning, praying. Author of one of the most brilliant, most needed essay collections in the past decade, \u003ci\u003eWhither American Poetry\u003c\/i\u003e, McIrvin pursues with painful integrity and philosophical and poetic passion the classic issues. He offers us poems that are the \"infinite herd of his sorrows,\" but poems that are also sexy and erotic and tender and funny. Poems that speak \"\u003ci\u003eDios\u003c\/i\u003e in the same breath as \u003ci\u003edevastar\u003c\/i\u003e.\" Michael McIrvin is a poet who will not compromise his dark vision precisely because his dream is \"the salvation of the world.\" (Sharon Doubiago)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Michael McIrvin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1734197048\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781734197044\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Fearful Symmetry Publications\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/24\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 158\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.48lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.34d","brand":"Michael McIrvin","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48442523386111,"sku":"9781734197044","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_40b11cb1-ccae-4ab1-bb90-a596e3fcc548.jpg?v=1777197958","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/optimism-blues-michael-mcirvin-9781734197044","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}