Comments on: alice d’alessio | conversations with thoreau

By: Jean

Jean — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:47:34 +0000

You are correct about the cover featuring a dead scraggly bush instead of a tree! I smiled over “What I’m doing,” It’s a marvelous hymn to multitasking…After 4, armies of women do march to the kitchen! In fact, many will admit to waking in the morning to the first thought of the day: “What are we having for dinner tonight?”

By: Kris Thacher

Kris Thacher — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:07:24 +0000

Alice D’Alessio is the only poet I know who could speak eloquently and equably with Thoreau and Emerson about nature and society, even time warps. The cover is not lovely-quite a stark opposite to A Blessing of Trees. A dead bush in a lake with a squared, receding shore. It generates some trepidation about what might be inside. I’ve only read the three selections presented here; but I will buy the book and read the rest because of the excellent writing I know will be inside this cover.

For me, books of poetry are becoming the avatars of a cross connect between the art world and the universe of words. As you say, these books deserve to be “beautifully designed and illustrated- a total work of art in itself.” We must figure out how to make this so. That is the challenge.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:25:01 +0000

Norb,

Thanks for reminding us not to judge the book by the cover. The photograph in and of itself might have worked had it been properly processed to explore all nuances of grey within the image. But the point may be moot, given the probable production and budget realities. I checked out the U of W page on the book where it is shown as one of a series, all of which share a compromised cover.

But the contents are clear as a bell ringing a refreshing note on nature.

By: jackie

jackie — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:10:36 +0000

As a member in Norb Blei’s Crossroad Press book club, I agree with Mr. Blei and Mr. Fericano about the importance of a book’s first impression. Aiice’s
wonderful book deserves more than given. I am forever grateful that Norb’s particular work discovered and used the perfect title and cover for my book, “White Shoulders” I certainly hope the cover of “Conversations with Thoreau” is overlooked when the yearly awards are given out. This little book deserves major kudos for the wonderful work inside the cover.

By: Paul Fericano

Paul Fericano — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:11:12 +0000

Thanks for voicing something that I think puzzles a lot of us who love poetry.

I often see an odd disconnect with what’s on the cover of a book and what’s inside it. It’s as if whoever designed the cover is trying hard to make their own statement. For me, the cover of a book–and particularly a book of poetry, which asks so much more of its reader–is like a house you’ve come to visit: there’s either a “welcome mat” out front, or a “no peddlers” sign in the window. Fortunately, enough of us still choose to ignore the sign and take our chances.

As for Alice D’Alessio’s poetry, there’s a line from an old song that comes to mind when I think of her work: “You can tell when you open the door / You can tell if there’s love in a home.”