Spin

by Moira Egan

Poetry. "If Edna Millay had been born half a century or so later, she might have penned something like these witty, irreverent, self-knowing poems."—Kim Addonizio

"Moira Egan can retain the sonnet structure and adapt it to the speech and behavior of our own day. That is impressive, not least because her writing communicates pleasure even to the untutored reader."—David Lehman

Genres: Poetry

115 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kenso · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I was reluctant to buy this book because the reviews and blurbs commented on Egan’s adherence to structure and formality, i.e. sonnets, etc. I prefer freer verse poetry, poetry which explores taboos by breaking conventional structure. However, this book expertly marries both style and substance. The result is beautifully (dare I say, perfectly?) crafted poems with spicy, gripping substance. SPIN is a collection which proves a poet can be a craftsperson AND inject life into poetry. I’m only disappointed I didn’t discover Egan earlier. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of formal poetry (sonnets, blank verse, sapphics, heroic couplets), including a section which contains her Bar Napkin Sonnets chapbook, these poems are sensual and beautiful. Incredible music.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these poems, especially the Bar Napkin Sonnets, showing how traditional forms can be sexy and clever as hell.