Informazioni sul libro
A humble lover of language is he, as expressed in his introduction entitled "Apology" and in the first poem "Still the line forms" in which he describes himself as an "old man writing his way back home". This is the work of man who writes because he must, to makes sense of the majesty and mystery of his life, and we are fortunate to be taken along for the ride.
He doesn't merely rest in memories and musings, however, and in other poems he tackles more academic subjects, like astronomy ("SN 2006gy"), geology ("Battle Sounds (an odyssey)", ancient history ("Hypatia of Alexandria"), and female anatomy ("Endowments"). In each of the 26 pieces we hear the singular voice of a thoughtful and sensitive soul pondering the many imponderables.
Elsewhere in "Roadside" he deftly juxtaposes a modern scene in a retro diner with reminiscences from his youth in the actual 50s, until you're right there with him in that shiny leather booth. His writing style can be poetically ornate or Midwesternly grounded, carrying us along on truncated tales of an idyllic boyhood in East Chicago, mischievous college years in Southern Indiana, and a reluctantly placid adulthood in the Minnesota wilderness.
This ruggedly elegant book would make a fine addition to any poetry collection.
Review by Eric Layer
Informazioni sull'autore
JOHN Everett Kristoff was born in Harvey, Illinois. With concentrations in Fine Art and Creative Writing, he has a Master of Arts for Teachers degree in English and a Specialist in Education degree in Instructional Design from Indiana University. He has taught high school English and Drama in the public school system of California, and was an assistant professor of English, advertising, public relations, photography and graphic design at four universities. As a USAID volunteer he worked in Africa and Poland. He has managed advertising promotions for major corporations in the U.S. and Europe. With friend Roger Ferragallo he co-founded the Ferragallo Group to create immense architectural stereography — one array installed in Las Vegas at the Stratosphere Casino and Hotel. Kristoff and Ferragallo are writing a monograph of their work together, (1994–2001) Breaking the Frame.