Each in a Place Apart

by James McMichael

James McMichael's psychologically penetrating long poem traces a man's twenty-year entanglement with a woman; the events that brought them together; the settings in which the two spent their time, together and alone; and the circumstances that led to their eventual separation.

Genres: Poetry

70 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jgrimm5988 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my favorite professor in graduate school. Just reconnected with him. We were in our twenties and thirties then, now in our seventies and eighties. Amazing book--anatomy of a relationship from the man's POV. Kept me awake all night reliving my first and second marriages which took place at the same time Jim was living the experiences chronicled in this book.

[Deleena · Rating 1 out of 5]

The description of this book says this "psychologically penetrating long poem traces a man's twenty-year entanglement with a woman." Yeah no, this is the sad-sack ramblings of a married man with two young children who groomed a teenage girl who was in a church youth group he supervised. He's annoyed with his wife and kids for existing ("we're outnumbered, she and I, by my wife and two sons") and eventually leaves them to live out his fantasy with this newer, easily controllable young woman. Gross. And, surprise, it doesn't work out.

I mean if you are interested in an old white guy's rationalizations and musings (he puts a lot of words and thoughts into her mouth throughout which is even more infuriating) go ahead and read, but I think we've evolved beyond the need for such self important work of supposed "geniuses" who are really just bad people with probable personality disorders.

[Insert name here · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book-length reflection on how, in real life, McMichael seduced a youth under his charge--while married to another woman, no less--and proceeded to derail her life, and then looks back on it with detachment and not the slightest shred of regret or conscience. It's creepy and fucked up and reads like a sociopath or pedophile's diary, and just because she stuck with him for two decades does not make it any less fucked up.

The poems are pretty bland and uninspired, too.

Edit: I'm curious how this would read post-Epstein. Not saying I want to re-read it (UGH), but I wonder how Epstein, Weinstein, and #metoo would change how this is received.

[Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - a long poem (more like a series) that takes you through the complicated struggle of a relationship. James McMichael is a one of the best.