Rich, Adrienne

Telephone Ringing in the Labyrinth: Poems 2004-2006

ISBN: 9780393065657
New York, NY, USA: W.W. Norton & Company, 2007. First Edition, Review Copy. Hardcover. "Poetry is not self-expression, the I is a dramatic I." (Michael S. Harper quoting Sterling A. Brown, dedication page). Telephone Ringing in the Labyrinth is a poetry collection by the award-winning American poet, essayist, educator, feminist & noted lesbian Adrienne Rich (1929-2012), published in 2007 by W.W. Norton & Company. It was one of her later works, coming near the end of a long and influential career. The collection continues themes Rich explored throughout her life: politics, social justice, war, memory, identity & the role of the poet in public life. The poems were written during the mid-2000s, and many reflect the atmosphere of that era, including the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, post-9/11 American politics, and questions about complicity & conscience. The title itself evokes a sense of disorientation & searching, a labyrinth being a place where one can get lost, with a telephone ringing somewhere inside it suggesting an urgent call that's hard to locate or answer. That metaphor runs through the book, which often grapples with how to hear and respond to suffering, history, and one another in confusing times. Stylistically, the poems are characteristic of late Rich: formally varied, sometimes fragmentary, intellectually demanding, and deeply engaged with both personal & political life. The collection includes some longer sequences alongside shorter individual poems. See Item No.s 8675, 8677, 8679 et al. for more from this American literary treasure. We have found & retained the original press release of Telephone Ringing in the Labyrinth: Poems 2004-2006 announcing its publication ("October 15, 2007"), signifying this particular book as a review copy. From the collection of Laurence Goldstein (1943-2023), poet, editor, and professor in the University of Michigan Department of English Language and Literature. Hardcover in unclipped Dust Jacket: First Edition as stated at copyright page, first printing per number sequence thereon. A most meditative collectible of Rich poetry in its ultimately rarest form, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. Book in relatively very fine condition with very mild rubbing to fine edges of front, back covers & spine; no discernible flaws to text block; Interior very fine with no discernible flaws. Dust Jacket very fine with very mild rubbing to front, back covers, spine & flaps; very mild bumping to fine edges of same. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #9003]

Price: $45.00