Caught in the Quiet
by Rod McKuen
On This Page
Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
This collection, which is essentially a single poetic sequence and love poem, has some lovely moments. But, for the most part, I found it far too simple and one-dimensional to really enjoy it or want to come back to it. Incredibly minimalist, the poems come together to attempt a love story that is individual, but can be read universally, and the result is a sequence that just doesn't carry much power. Simply, I'm afraid this isn't something I'd ever consider recommending; there just wasn't any unique flavor or power to it, and while it was a quick and easy read, it wasn't anything more at very many moments at all.
My opinion of Rod McKuen's work may well be laced with nostalgia. I started reading him in high school, introduced my a dear friend. Our shared fondness, and the sheer intensity of being a teenager made his poems blaze across our hearts.
Nonetheless, his poetry still kindles fires in my heart :)
Nonetheless, his poetry still kindles fires in my heart :)
A gentle gathering of numbered poems tracing the lifecycle of a love. Short, quiet, heartfelt. I am more comfortable about my teenage taste in poetry after reading this book in my late middle age. I knew a good thing.
Quiet, beautiful and real. Such a surprise to find, but amazing, too.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Publisher's Weekly NON-Fiction list - 1912 - 1975
486 works; 4 members
Author Information
108+ Works 2,305 Members
Rodney Marvin McKuen was born in Oakland, California on April 29, 1933. He never knew his biological father, and he was raised by his mother and an abusive alcoholic stepfather. He left home for good at the age of 11. He worked as a ranch hand, disc jockey, railroad worker, rodeo cowboy, and newspaperman. After settling in San Francisco in the show more 1950s, he began writing poetry and delivered his work at readings alongside the likes of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. He also sang at Bay Area nightclubs and was briefly a contract player at Universal Pictures. He was a poet, lyricist, and songwriter. During his lifetime, he wrote dozens of books of poetry and a memoir entitled Finding My Father: One Man's Search for Identity. His best-known songs, some written with the Belgian composer Jacques Brel, include Birthday Boy, A Man Alone, If You Go Away and Seasons in the Sun. He was nominated for Oscars for Jean from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and for A Boy Named Charlie Brown, the title track from the Peanuts movie. His Lonesome Cities album won a Grammy for best spoken word recording. His songs were recorded by several popular artists including Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Perry Como, Petula Clark, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Dolly Parton and Chet Baker. He died as a result of pneumonia on January 29, 2015 at the age of 81. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1970
- First words
- Introduction: In love or out of love we are suspended as in a limbo created by the presence of or the lack of someone else.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But anyone who's given in to loving will know and understand.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 105
- Popularity
- 309,175
- Reviews
- 4
- Rating
- (3.72)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 7
