Reviews for The ballad of Reading Gaol

The average rating for The ballad of Reading Gaol based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-08-05 00:00:00 Cameo Ziemer Thanks to Goodreads I discovered a new poet. And it was a happy (nerdy) coincidence that I read "The August Sleepwalker" in the month of August. I found it brilliant but as I'm no good at analyzing poetry collections for reviews I will leave you with one of my favourite poems from this book. A Perpetual Stranger A Perpetual stranger am I to the world I don't understand its language my silence it can't comprehend all we have to exchange is a touch of contempt as if we meet in a mirror a perpetual stranger am I to myself I fear the dark but block with my body the only lamp my shadow is my beloved heart the enemy

Review # 2 was written on 2012-04-12 00:00:00 Jessica Mascenic Beidao now lives in exile from the China he obviously loves. He grew up in the days of the Cultural Revolution when he awoke to the realization that this was not his China. He became a thorn in the side of the government, eventually forcing the exile. The poems reflect his love of country, experiences in the re-educated masses and hopes for change. There is nature and romantic imagery that is beautiful, sometimes hopeful, sometimes mournful. There are many poems I love, but my favorite today is: Song of Migrating Birds We are a flock of migrating birds Who have flown into winter's cage; In the green early dawn we set off On our flight to the ends of the earth. Let our shed feathers Fall on the heads of young women; Let our strong wings Bear the sun aloft. We herd dark clouds, Swaying manes pass through rainbows; We herd the winds, Flying pockets are filled with songs. It is our cries That frighten icebergs into ancient tears; It is our jeers That shame roses into crimson cheeks. North, our homeland, Accept our dream: let a tree Grow from each crack in the ice To bear great and small bells of joy... p 29 Highly recommended