William Matthews (1) (1942–1997)

This is a wonderful book, valuable for the sensitivity of the selections, though disappointing because it is a "selected" and not the complete poems implied in the title's use of the term "collected." A selection partly made by the poet's son, along with the poet Frank Bidart. William Matthews was one of the great American poets of his generation. This is a very handsome book with a broad selection of the poet's wotk.

Matthew's first full-length book of poetry. Bright, charming, wonderfully written, with the poet's humor and self-deprecation already formed.

Posthumously published volume, and of very high quality. A rare quality in American poets, William Matthews seems to have gotten better with age. I want to call him wise, in both senses of the word-- a wise guy and full of wisdom.

This is a great introduction the the work of this under-appreciated American poet.