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 Reviewed by: The Rev 24th May 2004 
 


Weather Forecast for Utopia and Vicinity

Charles Simic

Charles Simic is a brilliant writer. Okay, enough said about that. Weather Forecast for Utopia and Vicinity is singular in his canon, and an essential book for Simic fans, because it is Simic in concentrated form; the pieces here are shorter than usual, more imagist, more surreal. In other words, Simic in “pure” form:

“The great Nietzsche supposedly Once shaved a horse in Turin.

The same mad Nietzsche Used to peek into his pocket-mirror, From time to time, To make sure he was still there.

It must have been the same mirror He let the horse admire himself in After the shave.” --”Grandmother Logic”

Full of the trademark wit and unexpected pleasures of all of Simic's works. Packs an extra punch thanks to brevity. Absolutely lovely.



See also
A Fly in the Soup by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
A Wedding in Hell by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Another Republic by Charles Simic & Mark Strand reviewed by The Rev
Charon's Cosmology by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Classic Ballroom Dances by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Jackstraws by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
My Noiseless Entourage by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Nine Poems by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Return to a Place Lit by a Glass of Milk by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
The Horse Has Six Legs by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
The Voice at 3:00 A.M. by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
The World Doesn't End by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Unending Blues by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
Walking the Black Cat by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev
White by Charles Simic reviewed by The Rev