The Map That Lies Between Us: New and Collected Poems, 1980-2000

by Anne George

Anne Carroll George, one of the South's best-loved writers, has always been a poet at heart. In this book, she shares with us the magic of the places she has been, the things she has done, and the people she has loved. Her style is simple and unpretentious, the touch of a master.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Anne Carroll George was an American author and poet. She was Alabama's 1994 state poet. George died in 2001 of heart surgery complications.

Anne George was an Agatha Award-winner and a former Alabama State Poet. She was a cofounder of the Druid Press, and a regular contributor to literary and poetry publications. She was nominated for several awards, including the Pulitzer for a book of verse entitled Some of It Is True.

Series:
* Southern Sisters Mystery

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

My previous knowledge of Anne Carroll George was through her Southern Sisters series, which I completely enjoyed. The works in this book are entirely different, based on real life moments and impressions.

This collection of poems is one which will remain on my bookshelves. I know I will pick it up often and enjoy losing myself in it again. I don't have adequate words to describe Anne George's ability to connect with people through her poetry, but they resonated with me in a deep way. Perhaps the best description is to leave you with a couple of my favorites.

Excerpt from "For My Friend Who Would Prove Divinity with Numbers"

"And I believe your belief. But I
want mystery, not proof...
...I want no answers
but questions, eternal, human questions
that bear me down until I stretch my hand
to whatever infinity is and say, "My God."

Excerpt from "Fog, Shades Mountain"

"How could I have known then, decades ago,
that I would not love you forever but
in unpredictable stops and starts that
would startle, leave me beguiled as now
watching you cook eggs in our kitchen."

Finally, this little book could have been read in one sitting, but I prefer to read poetry in a more leisurely way, one or two at a time which will explain why it took nearly a month for me to complete.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely breathtaking. One of the best books of poetry I’ve read in a very long time.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

there is something so timeless and beautiful about George’s poetry, something I’ve yet to find in contemporary poetry.