Vermont Notebook

It's a travelogue of a weekend jaunt; a catalog of the ordinary beauty (and trouble) that surrounds us; and a poetic discourse on contemporary America. Ashbery starts off with his own peculiarly Homeric lists -- e.g. months, businesses, friends & acquaintances, flowers -- and then launches into his sublime observations of the country he loves. Hypnotic, alarming, funny, and fiery, this is perhaps my favorite book from one of my favorite poets. An absolutely exquisite collection whether you live in the Green Mountain state or not.

Poetry. Art. "This is John Ashbery at his wacky best, from long lists that seem to make some sense, to short lists that are befuddling and beguiling, to made-up diary entries. Perhaps it's everyone's diary that Ashbery has written, and no one's. Joe Brainard's silhouetted Americana becomes the perfect complement. There's a wonderfully nutty innocence (insouciance) to this book that is found in Brainard's drawings and Ashbery's writings: 'his lips spell out the words: shale, cowturds, spread, udder, mumps" - John Yau. "He has a touch with language lamost unmatched in contemporary poetry" - The Houston Post. "...touched with genius" - Peter Schjedahl.

Publisher: Granary Books
Distributor: Granary Books
Publication Date: 01-01-2001
Pages: 104
Measurements: 8oz