Philokalia

by Scott Cairns

Genres: Poetry

163 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really powerful poems. I enjoyed reading and entering into the space that Scott Cairns created through these poems. His poems are very conversational and matter-of-fact with some sarcasm, but also some unexpected beauty and profundity.

I enjoyed his faith-themed poems the most, especially when he's talking about his own personal interpretation of his Orthodox faith. His poems have a way of appealing to any faith background, which I really appreciate.

Honest and profound, they might take 2-3 reads to really get the weight that is meant to be conveyed.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful phrases, sometimes puzzling, but I almost always got the gist. Not only beautiful; it was also meaningful - many thoughts worth pondering.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was given to me to read by a 20something. Being a bit older I must admit I am not used to a book of poetry not having a cadence or meter to draw me in to the thought.

My definition of poetry would be found in a composition that is rhythmical. This is a book of a persons train of thought written in short lines and a grouped structure to look like a poem but reads as a journal or conversation. That being said, Scott Cairns thought process in this book of collected thoughts is sometimes profound, sometimes a bit out there, sometimes linear, sometimes satirist and at times Just beyond my grasp of understanding but very interesting just the same.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Dillard calls him "one of the best poets alive." He calls himself one of "her slowest students." His poems are almost all self-consciously Christian, prophetic, and dogmatic. Cairns grew up Baptist, spent much of his early career as a Presbyterian, and is now in the Eastern Orthodox. I enjoyed the entire collection with the sections New Poems, The Theology of Doubt, and Recovered Body containing some of my favorites.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry isn't my expertise, yet little in this really resonated with me.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generative words. Must be participated with as read to be known and actively appreciated.

[Rachel Salsedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cairns' "New Poems" are wonderful.