The Father: Poems

THE FATHER, by Sharon Olds is one of my favorite books of poetry. Each poem in this wonderful collection is a gem unto itself as well as an integral part of a whole, with "The Race" being my favorite.This superb book has led me to all the other Sharon Olds collections and in that to a beauty of writing that must be felt to be believed. Brilliant and soul satisfying at the same time, the poetry of Sharon Olds is simply magnificent.

Excruciating in their revelations, potent with revolution, Sharon Olds' poems approach the dominance of father over daughter with shocking force, raw intimacy, and ultimately grace. The reverberant layering of the collection's structure generates an irresistible pull into the core of self and family, from which Olds helps the reader emerge able to engage with greater transparency, and love with unlimited will.

I've never read anything by Olds I disliked. This book dives into its subject matter in a way that should make it become tiresome, but instead every poem makes itself new. Buy this.

Perfect Christmas present for a Sharon Olds fan. Thinner than what I expected but the receiver was not disappointed :)

good book, makes me cry

This collection of poetry left me speechless.

It is very interesting book. I found a simple language where the poet deals with a very serious issue which is the death of her father.

Absolutely heartbreaking account of a father's death.

Awful. Do we really need to know all the details of Olds' dying father? And I mean, ALL the details. Most unpleasant.