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Dana Gioia
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The Gods of Winter Hardcover – January 1, 1991

by Dana Gioia (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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St. Paul 1991 first edition Graywolf Press. ISBN 1-55597-147-4. Gioia's second book of poetry. Hardcover. Octavo, cloth. Signed presentation copy ("For Dorothy Hatch, Fellow Poet, Dana Gioia"). Fine in Fine DJ.
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  1. Print length
    62 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Graywolf Press
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1991
  5. ISBN-10
    1555971474
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1555971472
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000Q6MQCS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Graywolf Press; First Edition (January 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 62 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1555971474
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1555971472
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

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Dana Gioia

Dana Gioia

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

kindle customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Modern and accessible poetry, written from the heart
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018
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Dana Gioia is poet laureate of California and served three terms as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. This is perhaps his most personal book of poems, dedicated to his son who died in infancy. The first poem, "Prayer" -- available on YouTube in a musical setting by composer Morten Lauridsen -- expresses the mix of emotions of a grieving father, praying to a God equally seen as "deity or thief" to watch over his son's soul. This personal background reappears in "Planting a Sequoia," about planting a tree as a memorial for a lost child. "Counting the Children" also deals with the love and fear of a parent anxiously wondering if he can adequately protect his child. But the collection has great variety as well. The longest poem, "The Homecoming," offers a first-person narrative by a man recounting how he became a murderer. Others reflect on the precarious state of poetry itself ("The Silence of the Poets," "My Confessional Sestina"), or show a whimsical sense of humor that reminds me of Billy Collins. The author displays a thorough knowledge of traditional rhyme and meter, while carrying this knowledge lightly to present a conversational tone in many poems. One of the best and most moving books of contemporary poetry I've encountered.
2 people found this helpful
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Nancy
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous and very moving
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016
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Generally not a reader of poetry I got this book initially from the library after hearing Dana Gioia interviewed on NPR. I read it in a single sitting while still in bed early one morning and found myself intermittently in tears. Diana's subject matter of loss and his imagery that was in no way opaque was so moving. I carry one of his poems around with me in my purse and read it to others frequently. I subsequently have learned he is from my neck of the woods and I look forward to making his acquaintance soon. Looking forward to his other books-kudos
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Beverley R. Enright
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific poet and well-crafted memorable poems
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2014
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Gioia composes some very beautiful and wise humane poems. He likes to write long poems as well as the familiar one pagers, and they are engrossing enough to carry you through to the end before you realize how many pages you've read for one poem. Highly recommended.
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82-year-old kid
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorite poets. This collection reveals the depths of his ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2014
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One of my all-time favorite poets. This collection reveals the depths of his pain over the death of his son, somehow transmuted into beauty. I was deeply moved.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
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It is a wonderful collection of Dana Gioia's poetry.
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Elizabeth Vrenios
5.0 out of 5 stars Gioia is a wonderful poet. If you haven't experienced his writing - ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2014
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Gioia is a wonderful poet. If you haven't experienced his writing - I recommend you do!
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adead_poet@hotmail.com
5.0 out of 5 stars a dark collection, but one you should definitely read
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2002
Dana Gioia has made a name for himself as both a poet and a critic. And I've heard both sides of the argument, but if you have read _The Gods of Winter_ than you cannot deny his excellence as a poet (and if you haven't read this collection, then you definitely should go and buy it now). The book is divided into five sections. Section I contains seven of his better poems. "All Souls'", "The Gods of Winter", and "Planting a Sequoia" are here. The poems in this first section are about loss, even "Planting a Sequoia" which is also about life. Section II contains the longer poem "Counting the Children." The poems in Section III are poems more about place rather than the loss of sections I & II. Section IV is the long narrative, "The Homecoming." It's a dark poem, Frost-like in its nature, about a troubled boy and what happens when he goes home to his family. The final poems, in Section V, while still dark, leave us with a bit more hope than found in any of the other sections.
Gioia's use of language and choice of words is exceptionally beautiful in this collection. And the heartbreak of losing a child if felt throughout. This collection leaves the reader a little sad, but with much to think about.
14 people found this helpful
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Gigi
5.0 out of 5 stars such loveliness
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2008
this book is a sensitive, strong slice of the poet's life. As a critic, Daniel Gioia shines, and to read his poetry is indeed a priviledge!
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