Poetry Readers Challenge discussion

I loved it and learned a lot, blogged about it earlier. I liked Late Wife and Pinion even more, for gripping language and images, but I appreciated the close look at girls and women in this book--in a girls' school, in a community, and as individuals who could be somehow perceived in glimpses.

Also loved how woman-as-object is accomplished here--with gentleness, irony, and fact--for instance, in poems about a mannequin and some anatomy models. Loved the epigraphs at the beginnings of sections, including one from Jane Eyre, about girls "[r]anged on benches down the sides of the room,...motionless and erect." Chilling.

In a hurry to 1) get my review up before the end of the year in this Poetry Readers Challenge group and 2) return this book to its rightful owner!

Now that I have found her, I will read anything by Claudia Emerson.

Late Wife is one of my favorite books of poetry. I'm looking forwarding to reading this one after reading your review.

Glad to hear it! I am always glad to find a poet whose work consistently compels me.

I'm convinced. Enjoyed your review. Will go with Late Wife or Pinion.
thanks

I loved Late Wife, but I haven't read Figure Studies. Will have to put this on my to read for 2011 list!