More than a decade after Jack Gilbert's "The Great Fires," this highly anticipated new collection shows the continued development of a poet who has remained fierce in his avoidance of the beaten path. In "Refusing Heaven," Gilbert writes compellingly about the commingled passion, loneliness, and sometimes surprising happiness of a life spent in luminous understanding of his own blessings and shortcomings: "The days and nights wasted . . . Long hot afternoons / watching ants while the cicadas railed / in the Chinese elm ...
Read More
More than a decade after Jack Gilbert's "The Great Fires," this highly anticipated new collection shows the continued development of a poet who has remained fierce in his avoidance of the beaten path. In "Refusing Heaven," Gilbert writes compellingly about the commingled passion, loneliness, and sometimes surprising happiness of a life spent in luminous understanding of his own blessings and shortcomings: "The days and nights wasted . . . Long hot afternoons / watching ants while the cicadas railed / in the Chinese elm about the brevity of life." Time slows down in these poems, as Gilbert creates an aura of curiosity and wonder at the fact of existence itself. Despite powerful intermittent griefs-over the women he has parted from or the one lost to cancer (an experience he captures with intimate precision)-Gilbert's choice in this volume is to "refuse heaven." He prefers this life, with its struggle and alienation and delight, to any paradise. His work is both a rebellious assertion of the call to clarity and a profound affirmation of the world in all its aspects. It braces the reader in its humanity and heart.
Read Less
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $5.96, fair condition, Sold by Open Books Ltd rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Chicago, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Water staining to bottom edge. Good, readable copy. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven: Poems to cart. $6.22, very good condition, Sold by A1A Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Saint Augustine, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $8.46, like new condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven: Poems to cart. $9.25, fair condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $9.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $10.76, Sold by New England Booksellers rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Greenfield, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf Publishing Group.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $10.84, very good condition, Sold by BookDrop rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Phoenix, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Gently read. May have name of previous ownership or ex-library edition. Binding tight; spine straight and smooth with no creasing; covers clean and crisp. Minimal signs of handling or shelving. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation if you're not satisfied with purchase please return item! Ships USPS Media Mail.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $10.84, Sold by New England Booksellers rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Greenfield, MA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf Publishing Group.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven to cart. $12.00, good condition, Sold by Last Word Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Olympia, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Knopf.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good in Good jacket. Size: 6x0x8; A used book with light to moderate shelf wear to boards and dust jacket. Previous owner's bookplate inside. Photos and additional details upon request. Thank you for supporting Last Word Books and independent bookstores.
Add this copy of Refusing Heaven: Poems to cart. $14.75, new condition, Sold by Skeeter rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Long Beach, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Knopf Publishing Group.
