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reviewed Firstborn by Louise Glück (American poetry series -- 26)

Louise Glück: Firstborn (Ecco Press) 3 stars

This is the first collection of poems by Louise Glück, who was born in 1943 …

Review of 'Firstborn' on 'Storygraph'

3 stars

From these shallows expands 
The mercy of the sea. 
My first house shall be built on these sands, 
My second in the sea.
 — PHENOMENAL SURVIVALS OF DEATH IN NANTUCKET

I've only read A Village Life by Glück so far, which was published almost after 40 years of Firstborn. The difference between the two is palpable. Firstborn is quite grim and personal, and I was amazed to see Glück following a form for her poems. I'll definitely say that she's improved, not that Firstborn was bad. I just think it didn't work as a collection.