Backsass: Poems

by Fred Chappell

This collection of humorous and satiric verse takes its title from that thoroughly southern term meaning “irreverent retort,” “ironic remark,” or “scoffing observation.” The ancient Roman poet Juvenal noted that his world made it hard not to write satire. Fred Chappell, finding his contemporary era analogous to that of imperial Rome, has in Backsass given in to the impulse for invective and mockery. Whether addressing the political, the poetical, or the practical, Chappell brandishes his lexical sword, ribbing our shortcomings, offering tonic advice, and occasionally shedding a tear for our fallen ideals. Some poetry is fine wine. Backsass is the driest of martinis.

Genres: Poetry

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Fred Davis Chappell retired after 40 years as an English professor at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was the Poet Laureate of North Carolina from 1997-2002. He attended Duke University.

His 1968 novel Dagon, which was named the Best Foreign Book of the Year by the Academie Française, is a recasting of a Cthulhu Mythos horror story as a psychologically realistic Southern Gothic.

His literary awards include the Prix de Meilleur des Livres Etrangers, the Bollingen Prize, and the T. S. Eliot Prize.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars ("it was okay") really isn't so bad, not as bad as it looks.

This was okay, for me, who just isn't feeling too sassy nor back. Fred's answering machine is a gem, as are his first lines, which almost always hit the right note. (Title: I Suppose War is Okay, First line: "for those who like that sort of thing")

I kept thinking Fred might be Ogden Nash's great-grand-nephew and Billy Collins's stand-up comic cousin and Simon Rich's older brother. Fine family.

[Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are the first poems by Chappell that I've read although I have been very impressed by his prose. I like his poetry but it doesn't seem to be very profound on insightful, however I would read another book of his as soon as possible.

[Suzanne Costner · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ IT!!!!

[Barb Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book of satiric and humerous poems .....some are political, some pratical and some just silly. A good read for poets and smartalecks.

[Marianne Mersereau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some funny poems in this collection; I found the light tone refreshing and enjoyed the satire and clever word usage.