( 3 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 10 2005
Martha Rhodes' latest book is one of the most powerful collections of poetry I have read. The emotions she presents are so strong that it was almost painful for me to read these poems, yet I felt compelled to continue, drawn in by her lyricism. "Quiet Mother" evokes sorrow, sympathy, empathy and admiration from me. Highly Recommended!
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 28 2005
Rhodes's third collection, like her first two, is really a poetic sequence, and though it stands firmly on its own, it's wonderful to sit down and re-visit her first two books, reading them cover to cover and then picking up this book, Mother Quiet. Her books are filled with multiple speakers and becuase she is so clever at fluctuating inflection and scene, we are never confused. Reading her work I feel like I am reading a play because story, scene and characters develop over time. Martha Rhodes is a writer to read, re-read, re-read again, and learn from. This is a wonderfully rich book and she continues to stretch and grow. Mother Quiet is an exciting book. Terrific work by a challenging and remarkably gifted writer. I look forward to her next book and am so glad this one was published.
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( 2 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 17 2005
Martha Rhodes has long been my personal Poet Laureate. She is fluent in the language of the unconscious and able to translate it for the rest of us. Rhodes has an extraordinary ability to capture on the page the sorts of images and phrases that shimmer tantalizingly before us when waking from a dream and vaporize before we can take hold of them. She is a writer who can take you to the dark side of childhood and back into the light.
