Golden state

by Frank Bidart

American academic and poet, and a three time Pulitzer Prize finalist in poetry. About his work, the former U.S. Poet Laureate Louise Glück has said, “More fiercely, more obsessively, more profoundly than any poet since Berryman (whom he in no way resembles) Bidart explores individual guilt, the insoluble dilemma.” And about his career as a poet, she said, “Since the publication, in 1973, of Golden State, Frank Bidart has patiently amassed as profound and original a body of work as any now being written in this country.”

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Frank Bidart is the author of Metaphysical Dog (FSG, 2013), Watching the Spring Festival (FSG, 2008), Star Dust (FSG, 2005), Desire (FSG, 1997), and In the Western Night: Collected Poems 1965-90 (FSG, 1990). He has won many prizes, including the Wallace Stevens Award, the 2007 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. He teaches at Wellesley College and lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Zayne]

Of all the books of poetry I have read to date (which I always feel should be more), this is the most cohesively moving work. Even Bidart's translations of Virgil's Aeneid are beautiful and fit into the conceit of the work. The entire book is a strugle to confront, reconcile or comprehend the past. The world's past, personal pasts, family history, skeletons in the closet—Bidart ranges over it all in this, his first book of poetry. Gorgeous, humane and transcendent. My tip: take a close look at "California Plush." Perhaps one of the finest narrative poems ever crafted.

[Yong Xiang]

"California Plush" and "Golden State" are incredible, the poet slicing through his past to try to solve the mystery of why he (and anyone) is the way he is. in the process he creates these sketches of his family & hometown that feel rly alive yet elude understanding - guess that's the point. i also rly enjoy the incorporation of letters into the poems + even the use of emphatic italics grew on me after a while. it's heartfelt & deeply personal w/o ever being sentimental or self-absorbed... more bidart soon!!

[Noah]

"Herbert White" is undeniable but the rest of the poems didn't stick for me, maybe in the shadow of that great poem.

[Tiffany Decker]

First poem is incredibly disturbing. Enjoyed "Golden State" poem. Felt so good to have someone from my hometown - places that I know - Bakersfield, Bishop - writing. Connected to that.

[Theodore Heil]

I cant believe i will never read the Richard howard introduction to this

[Mark]

You know me and most poetry. Water over stone, always downriver.

[Nat Baldino]

"To My Father" gutted me

[Mills College Library]

811.54 B584g 1973