The City in Which I Love You (American Poets Continuum)

The immigrant story is always current. Let yourself be carried on the wave of its hunger and grace, Biblical, epic

It is such a privilege to read the early work of an artist. Here are all the elements of his later work: the assured craftsmanship of language, the themes that pursue him through his other books [Rose 1986, The City in Which I Love You 1990, Book of My Nights 2001, Behind My Eyes 2008], seeing the world through his own eyes, his father's eyes and sieving it through high childhood religious training. In his later work, his poems have less sprawl, become compressed, welcome the reader to participate through the use of negative space and the intersection of words and themes that do double- and triple-duty. But here is a book of transitional poems, racing for and getting to that point. The long poem, "The Cleaving," is a masterpiece. I read it three times in succession the first time I read it. What a 'beautiful machine.' Whenever I'm exploring a used book store with a new friend, I always buy them something. More often than not it is a volume of the work of Li-Young Lee. I've never found these books put away on their shelves; they're always left out for quick reference or casual reading. 'Nuf said.

This is a very good, interesting, contemporary collection. Themes: identity, origin, race, heritage. All the contemporary diversities. But the real deal, not ticking any fashionable boxes re 'diversity', thankfully.

I really like Li-Young Lee and his poetry, but this one was much darker than I thought it was going to be. I read "Rose" and really fell in love with his words. I had already studied him in my English classes, watched tapes and interviews, and read his works on The Poetry Foundation, but I was surprised. I guess I shouldn't have been, but I thought it would go along the lines of "Rose" (me being stupid).This book is still movingly beautiful. Lee writes about his father, his family's fleeing from country to country and settling in the U.S. Lee talks a lot about God, the Bible, and all things religious because his father, educated doctor and scholar in China, became a pastor in the U.S.This book is beautiful and sad and well worth your time (although I did like "Rose" better).

Gorgeous and melancholy. The poems stick with me. I loaned my copy and never got it back, so I had to order it again.

This one is incredible

My daughter LOVES this book. Poetry that really resonates with one's soul. Any book that develops a love for poetry is a worthwhile read.

​Li-Young Lee writes about his struggles of his journey to America with his family and what he encounters along the way. His collection of poetry I found to be very sad. He wrote with deep emotion to where I could feel his pain of being an immigrant who had no home. It was a bit confusing at times as I couldn’t tell whether he was talking about his own family or his parents.​The first collection of poems he wrote was called “Furious Versions” where he talked about the uncertainty in where his family would sleep or if they would live. They constantly had to watch out for people coming for them which he showed his fear there his poetry. He used great imagery and avoided using any clichés. It was understood at that time in his life that death was inevitable for most fleeing. He wasn’t even aloud to talk to ensure their safety.​Unfortunately, His father did pass at some point throughout the chaos but I was unsure how. I believe his brother did too but again that was unclear. Some of his poems had too much mystery for me and could’ve been easier to read. I realize that these were written in a different time era plus he was from a different country. I don’t believe English was his first language so broken English was very possible. I felt that caused a bit of confusion on my part. If only I had him here to interrupt each poem for me but that’s the great thing about poetry is that its suppose to have some air of mystery.​For me his collection of poetry is not something I’d choose to not to read as leisure it’s hard for me to relate and understand as I stated previously. I think his poetry would be better suited for someone who is a few years older than me or who has been an immigrant themselves. The gap was too big for me to enjoy his work. I can appreciate his talent even though I myself would choose not to read it. I think for anyone who wants to learn more about a life of an immigrant from that time should read this. It would expand your knowledge further.​Lastly, I would like to reflect on what I did learn from reading his poems. I learned that my life has been a great one in comparison. I never had to struggle like he did and it almost makes me feel bad. I don’t understand as he states why the lord would put anyone through such pain. It’s not my place to understand but I think at the end of the collection he starts the appreciate his little family he has who have a stable environment. It make me happy because he overcome that triumph and now has made it in American and that’s what you call the American dream in my opinion.​​

This is the second of this poets publication in his early thirties,(this particular collection of some 88 pages dates from 1990).They do say the second collection is the one on which to base an opinion.This prize winning selection is of some 16 long (unlike his later offerings) poems,and with hindsight the reader can see Lee's trademark DNA evolving eg in the style of 'The Waiting' and form of 'Goodnight' .As an earlier reviewer noted,the masterpiece herein is the last poem 'The Cleaving'.

Li-Young Lee's poems are deeply moving, but in a quiet way. "The City in which I Love You" is a masterpiece and my favorite poem in this collection.