Argument by Design

by Katherine R. Smith

Katherine Smith

57 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[James Lundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What first attracted me to this book were the expatriot poems. Let me just say I don't like to travel like other Americans. I don't want to see 5 countries in 7 days just so I can say "I was in Berlin" at some cocktail party so someone else can say "Isn't it exciting?" and I can say something about the HauptStrasse and those crazy German drivers and we can chuckle and remark on how it makes you appreciate the United States. To paraphrase Dylan, it ain't me babe. So, getting back to this book -- that's what I'm doing, reviewing this marvelous book -- I met Katherine Smith at a poetry reading and heard her read about living in France, having affairs, holding down a job, winnowing down a marriage to a shambles, catching trains, sweating in August heat. Right then I wanted to travel, to experience life for a change. How many times does a book do that, make not just the grass somewhere else seem greener but make your grass seem malignant?

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like her way with a line and the music and compactness of them. Well worth reading. And, for me, just the right balance of narrative hinted at, and pure music.