As far as Invasions - Kirsch's new poetry book - is concerned, I don't think the poor review has anything to do with either a hatchet job or an attack on the metricists. I read the book, and it was soporific: one droning, slightly stilted line dissolved into the next; one droning, slightly stilted poem dissolved into the next. The book was devoid of humor, devoid of personality or any voice beyond a slightly labored fustiness, devoid of excitement, high or low points, challenges, or any change of pace - intelligent, but colorless and odorless. I ordered it because I liked his first book (which won the New Criterion, and I unfortunately can't find now, because I'd like to refresh my judgement), but the latest one was just deadly. Haven't read the book of criticisms yet (ordered that as well), but the Times review of the poetry book is spot on.
[This message has been edited by Michael Cantor (edited September 01, 2008).]
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