Reviews for Breaking the Willow: Poems of Parting, Exile, Separation & Reunion, Vol. 16

The average rating for Breaking the Willow: Poems of Parting, Exile, Separation & Reunion, Vol. 16 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-11-14 00:00:00 Melissa Pullen David Lunde, author, poet, and translator of "Breaking the Willow" points out in the introduction that the second most important (after writing) Chinese invention was bureaucracy. They perfected bureaucracy so well that it became the model for their concept of heaven with a hierarchy of gods each with their area of responsibility. The poem "On Retirement" written by Zhang Yanghao around 1320 describing the joy of a retired bureaucrat who doesn't look back illustrates how little mankind or society has changed in the last 1000 years. This poem, and others in the book, is just as compelling and current today as when it was written. One of our favorites is "Poem for Wei Ba" that describes the reunion of two old friends after twenty years. The message is so clear and poignant that it reminded me of how many old friends I have misplaced. I've already sent this poem to one old friend by way of apology. This fine book has benefited so much from having a poet as the translator. His translations go beyond what the literal meanings are and re-create the poetry of the Chinese originals in crisp and compelling prose. I look forward to reading and enjoying David's other books of translation (e.g. "300 Tang Poems").

Review # 2 was written on 2010-04-04 00:00:00 Matthew Mahalchick Best literature anthology ever made, reads like a book, makes you want to read the follow up.