Marilyn Chin Books

I just taught this book to an undergraduate class of English majors. The students loved the variety, the political conviction and the rich imagery of these poems. "How I Got That Name" is one of Chin's most anthologized pieces: we began with a deep discussion of that piece as autobiographical material. Poem after poem, the students all found beautiful and interesting passages. "A Portrait of the Self As Nation" is a long poem against the gulf war and was written in 1991-- in the reign of the first George Bush. Now, it reads like a great foreboding. The students loved gems such as "Turtle Soup," "The Floral Apron," "The Song of the Sad Guitar." This is a terrific book.

Miss Chin's book of poetry is a work of art in the present day. Crisp images and the rhythms she establishes are a pleasure worth savoring. She manages to place one foot in the modern day American experience while still working and moving in the tradition of Chinese verse. This weaving of cultures is skillfully done. I could almost feel those ancient masters nodding proudly over her accomplishments.

Taste, smells, colors, textures, emotions- these poems deliver the goods. In particular, "A 17 Line Poem about Poverty" brings to mind these lines, "She thought he broke her heart. Instead he saved her life. She would have known true heartache, had she become his wife." Judy Dehen

I go to a somewhat conservative boarding school and lent this book to one of my writing teachers, who previously had said that there is no way that a political poem can be heartfelt. This book proves that notion wrong. Normally when people think about politics, they only think about who is running for office, but there is so much more than that in this book. This book should be available in every library in both the poetry and political section. This is an inspiring book that speaks not only to the mind, but to the heart.

As one of the poets featured in Will Work for Peace, one might expect me to be a bit biased, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Most poets work in a virtual vacuum, only tenuously connected to each other by the occasional workshop or shared membership in a 'poetry society'. When Brett Axel first approached me for a submission to an anthology he was considering, the names Marge Piercy, Lyn Lifshin, Moshe Bennaroch and so many others were abstractions to me as a fledgling poet. I knew these tremendous writers were 'out there' somewhere, beating down doors with their words and keeping a struggling artform alive. But to think that someday I would ever share a credit with these dynamic modern poets would be a pipe dream at best. It is through the sincere efforts of Brett Axel that many newer voices like mine have an extraordinary opportunity to appear with Pulitzer Prize winners and other poetic heavyweights. By way of an honest review, however, I will say this- not everything in this book will be to your particular liking. I myself came across some works that did not move me in the way the author may have intended. Some imagery can be raw and visceral, using shock value in place of craft at times. But to ignore those voices would be an even more shocking turn of events, so praise be to the editor for not sacrificing his vision to a senseless conformity. As Pete Seeger so aptly put it in his quote, trying to read all these poems at one time would be like trying 'to swallow Manhattan whole'. I say to you- buy this book, read this book, but understand that it's what you do after reading this book that will ultimately define who you could be. Poetry is alive and well, and lives in the blunt pages of Will Work for Peace.

This book has been a long time coming. Brett Axel has really contributed to the poetry world in a way that is noticed, rather than swept into a corner. Many of the poems are good, some are great. Not all the poets are famous, but most of them contributed good work. I liked Amy Ouzoonian's and Brett's poems, as well as "Pinaud's Tonic" by Michael Pollick. I recommend reading that one. The only criticism I would have of the book is of the extreme scatalogical nature of some of the poems, which do not seem to fit with the theme of the anthology, and would, perhaps, be better in collections by that particular poet, rather than in such an anthology. But, overall, it is a great work.

I liked this book. It has some of the best poetry I've ever seen in it. I especially liked the poems by Marge Piercy, Antler, Diane di Prima, and Susan Griffin, but all of it was good. I think there was only one or two that I didn't like at all and they were short. I'd give it 5 stars but the type was kind of small and I'd rather it be easier to read. My eyes aren't what they were when I was 30.

Just amazing start to finish! I like the disregard for fame used in putting the book together. That great poems got in even if they were writtenby nobodys. Look at Roger Bonair-Agard's poem on page 74. Shortly after Will Work For Peace came out he won Slam Nationals, becoming Slam Champion of 1999, which will be getting him lots of offers. But Zeropanik Press didn't need to be told he was good by an award. They could tell by his writing! Good for them and good for all of us because Will Work For Peace is a literary milestone. It's a new standard for all future anthology editors to try to live up to. Thumbs up to Brett Axel and Thumbs up to Zeropanik Press for their guts and integrty.

Unfortunately when I received the book I opened it and the pages fell out. I notified the seller and they said they order them from the publisher and sometimes they aren't up to their own standards. They offered to send a new book at no charge.

Summoning imagery from contemporary life in southern California as well as from ancient China, and places in between, including words and symbols from both languages, Marilyn Chin creates a poetic narrative that is both personal and political. Dwelling on themes of race, history, love and nature, these poems examine the transitory moments of our fragile existence. In "Cauldron," Chin asks: "What is destiny, but an angry wind-plagues and salvages, / death knocking on your neighbor's door, and you dare look out / your window, relieved that you were spared for another hour" (37). In the moments of that hour, with the pages of this book, Chin offers a risky, dynamic collection of poetry, gifts of her particular vision and sensitivity.

I've been a fan of Marilyn Chin's poetry for years. She never fails to surprise me with her intelligence, brilliance, craft and daring. She can write everything: blues poems, ballads, long meditations, hymns, political anthems...There's a big beautiful banquet in this book. And, she's funny as hell, but while you're laughing, you realize that the joke is on you, or that she is able to sneak in a life lesson. Not enough room here for all the praise she deserves. Read all her books; you'll be a fan forever.