I was moved to get this collection after hearing a Rossetti poem used as a plot device in a classic movie (Kiss Me Deadly, 1955). A character named Christina quotes a Rossetti poem that turns out to be a clue for the detective.
This is Rossetti’s most famous collection, including her signature poem, “Goblin Market”. There are a few other good poems here, especially “Remember” (which is reminiscent of “Auld Lang Syne”) and “Echo”, both of which work well as memoriam poems. I found the other poems in the collection to be forgettable.
“Goblin Market” is good. It tells a long ghost story about two sisters being pestered by some local goblins; when one sister gives in and is cursed, the other saves her. The poem hich has been interpreted as actually being about two lesbians, which I can see that, but feel that’s a stretch. I didn’t get a strong feminist or sapphic vibe from any of the poems, and I found the style to be too ornate and gothic for my taste.
Fate: Little book library
3 – published before 1939
8 – a female author
22 – poetry
25 – new author to me
rclr 