Sounds and Silences

by Richard Peck

Anthology of poetry which conveys a variety of poets' reflections on childhood, love, illusion, pain, isolation, identity and dissent

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published March 1, 1970

About the author

Richard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.

Reviews

[Tyneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a rummage sale and it remains one of my favorites - it contains poetry (Auden, Hughes, Frost, Updike)and song lyrics (The Beatles, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger) - I actually keep a laminated copy of my mother's obituary in it because as the editor Richard Peck so eliquently states " contemporary poetry has drawn nearer to the world of its reader-life as it's lived, more than life as it should be." it's a fantastic sampling of poetry and a testament to the poetic nature of music. Love it!!

[Creolecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the beauties of reading poetry is to not read them in the order presented. It’s picking poems that suit your fancy or not knowing anything about the poem and it being so good that you realize after a short time you’ve read the entire book. Especially a slim volume like Sounds & Silences: Poetry for Now that showcases a selection of poets, musicians, novelists, essayists, and painters. Its proof anything can be a poem, from a single line or word to lyrics of a song. That’s why I don’t understand people who say they don’t like poetry. This anthology captures a range of topics such as childhood, family, love, war, isolation, identity and dissent among other subjects, using words from The Beatles, Leroi Jones, Woody Guthrie, Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, John Updike, and William Carlos Williams. My copy is a 1970 paperback that I found at a used bookshop with several pages torn out and the corners chipped away. That’s okay. I imagine someone tearing poems out to tack on a wall to remind them of something as each poem has different meanings for all of us. That’s poetry. I’ll find myself a better copy someday.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent poetry collection. There's more bitterness here than in the similar Mindscapes, as well as poetry so old the famous Amiri Baraka is billed as LeRoi Jones, but all of Peck's choices were made with a wisdom of and reverence for the art.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wonder if my struggles with appreciating poetry are a sign of impatience, lack of creative thinking or a disregard for that which doesn't fit the dominant structure of language.

I'm going to hope it's the first only, but, who really knows.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poetry. I have a paperback version.

[Sue C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have probably re-read and referred to this book more than any other. What a treasure. My joy is rekindled whenever I have the opportunity to share from it.