Four Questions of Melancholy: New and Selected Poems

by Tomaž Šalamun, Michael Biggins (Translator), Christopher Merrill (Editor)

A large and important collection by one of Eastern Europe's major contemporary poets.

Genres: Poetry

265 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Tomaž Šalamun was a Slovenian poet, who has had books translated into most of the European languages. He lived in Ljubljana and occasionally teaches in the USA. His recent books in English are The Book for My Brother, Row, and Woods and Chalices.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with Jack that there are some great poems in here, especially the first one. Sometimes he drifts into a sort of hazy, syrupy surrealism for me though. When his language is tight, he's terrific.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to Salamun. Wide-ranging enough to capture bits and pieces of everything he does--the pithy, humanist, kind poems are a good counterbalance to the post-logic stuff, so it's never too overwhelmingly strange. Once you get your feet wet, you can go into the whole books, and then you are up to your neck in weird poeming. Which is a wonderful place to be.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The international O'Hara.

[Olivia Flood · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a lovely introduction to “improvisational poetry”. i find šalamuns articulation of experiences settles beautifully and you can really feel a connection. that being said you also feel a pull due to the individualism of the retelling. i subtracted one star due to the fact sometimes he is kind of racist and writes questionable things about his wife. but for male poet standards he is fantastic in that regard.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salamun is a master of the logical upturn, downturn, sideways life, etc. He's confessional without being terrible. Dramatic without calling a scene. Etc. Good stuff.

[Simona · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book has brought me to poetry in a different way than other Polish poets have. there is an edge to it that defies the melancholy of its title. must read.

[Kim Lohse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful. Quiet, passionate and intelligent. Slowly savor his poems.

[Chadd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, thank you Dr. Carney.

[C.S. Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I learned from this book is everything.

[John Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Hadbawnik generously handed this to me under the blue skies of Rust Belt Books . . . & I'm happy he did . . .

[Lori]

One of the best poets around. I highly recommend this poetry - it will set you to wondering. To re-read as with all fine poetry.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't go wrong with Šalamun.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy.