Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78859 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 298 pages

Customer Reviews

A masterly exponent of passionate, lyrical poetry
This selection of Langston Hughes' poems is not only a worthwhile (and modestly priced addition!) to any poetry lover's library, but should be considered essential reading for anyone interested in jazz, blues, hip-hop, rap, Black American history as well as anyone experiencing the highs and lows of being alive.

The speaker may be a gospel preacher or a brothel's madam, it may be a young girl anxious to rush out and meet her boyfriend at the corner of the street or it may be a woman worn down by the unending struggle to make ends meet while her man only wants to gamble or drink the money away. Whoever is speaking in the poem it is the authentic sound of that person and that time. One might imagine that this would make for a trite and banal repetition of cliches and general inarticulacy - so, what is it that lifts these poems from a mere record of everyday colloquial speech at a certain period in history to poetry that is memorable and holds universal appeal?

First and foremost it is because Hughes is a poet who observes keenly as well as compassionately (see 'The Litany') - he writes from the inside, but with the door ajar, and it is through that door that we come in, as readers from all different countries, ages and backgrounds. Is it only the accuracy of his vision that draws us in? No, we're enticed in by the music of his poetry as well. Nowadays in music we're familiar with the term 'crossover' - well, here is an early master of it, with the boundaries constantly merging between lyrical poetry and the poetry of jazz, blues and gospel music.

'A Dream Deferred' could have been written today for all its relevance to young people growing up in poverty and without the opportunity to realise even the most basic dreams. It has an insistent beat and message, but it does not descend into agitprop verse. It should be required reading for all politicians all around the world - but until that day comes, read it yourself along with the other poems in this wonderful selection. The music will carry you along and you won't regret it.