Plainwater

Essays and Poetry

By Anne Carson | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

The poetry and prose collected in Plainwater are a testament to the extraordinary imagination of Anne Carson, a writer described by Michael Ondaatje as \"the most exciting poet writing in English today.\" Succinct and astonishingly beautiful, these pieces stretch the boundaries of language and literary form, while juxtaposing classical and modern traditions.

Carson envisions a present-day interview with a seventh-century BC poet, and offers miniature lectures on topics as varied as orchids and Ovid. She imagines the muse of a fifteenth-century painter attending a phenomenology conference in Italy. She constructs verbal photographs of a series of mysterious towns, and takes us on a pilgrimage in pursuit of the elusive and intimate anthropology of water. Blending the rhythm and vivid metaphor of poetry with the discursive nature of the essay, the writings in Plainwater dazzle us with their invention and enlighten us with their erudition.

Editions of Plainwater

Hardcover
ISBN 9780679431787
Paperback
ISBN 9780676972740
Paperback
ISBN 9780375708428
EBook
ISBN 9781101911273

Read an Excerpt

The poetry and prose collected in Plainwater are a testament to the extraordinary imagination of Anne Carson, a writer described by Michael Ondaatje as \"the most exciting poet writing in English today.\" Succinct and astonishingly beautiful, these pieces stretch the boundaries of language and literary form, while juxtaposing classical and modern traditions.

Carson envisions a present-day interview with a seventh-century BC poet, and offers miniature lectures on topics as varied as orchids and Ovid. She imagines the muse of a fifteenth-century painter attending a phenomenology conference in Italy. She constructs verbal photographs of a series of mysterious towns, and takes us on a pilgrimage in pursuit of the elusive and intimate anthropology of water. Blending the rhythm and vivid metaphor of poetry with the discursive nature of the essay, the writings in Plainwater dazzle us with their invention and enlighten us with their erudition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Plainwater about?

The poetry and prose collected in Plainwater are a testament to the extraordinary imagination of Anne Carson, a writer described by Michael Ondaatje as \"the most exciting poet writing in English today.\" Succinct and astonishingly beautiful, these pieces stretch the boundaries of language and literary form, while juxtaposing classical and modern traditions.

Carson envisions a present-day interview with a seventh-century BC poet, and offers miniature lectures on topics as varied as orchids and Ovid. She imagines the muse of a fifteenth-century painter attending a phenomenology conference in Italy. She constructs verbal photographs of a series of mysterious towns, and takes us on a pilgrimage in pursuit of the elusive and intimate anthropology of water. Blending the rhythm and vivid metaphor of poetry with the discursive nature of the essay, the writings in Plainwater dazzle us with their invention and enlighten us with their erudition.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Plainwater?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Poetry / Poems

Where can I read a sample of Plainwater?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780679431787

Is Plainwater part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Vintage Contemporaries

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Plainwater?

Anne Carson

Who is the Publisher of the book Plainwater?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Plainwater is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780679431787) and paperback(ISBN 9780676972740) and paperback(ISBN 9780375708428) and ebook(ISBN 9781101911273)

Where can I buy Plainwater online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Plainwater?