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Not So Deep As A Well: Collected Poems
First edition. Some poems appeared in periodicals priviously . A complete collection except for a few the author ommitted purposely. With decorations in red ink throughout drawn by Valenti Angelo. xi, 210 pages. cloth stamped in gilt.. 8vo..
210 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1936
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About the author
Dorothy Parker
292Ìýbooks1,998ÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ data base.
Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.
Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet and critic best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles. From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting. Her successes there, including two Academy Award nominations, were curtailed as her involvement in left-wing politics led to a place on the Hollywood blacklist.
Dismissive of her own talents, she deplored her reputation as a "wisecracker." Nevertheless, her literary output and reputation for her sharp wit have endured.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 19, 2019
After reading Dorothy Parker's poetry, one may gather that she's had her heart ripped out, torn into tiny pieces, spat upon, shat upon, and probably chewed upon by small rodents.
And we all benefit from her misery.
You've heard, no doubt, the one about girls who wear glasses. (It's not true, I'm happy to say!)
But what about this one?
A heart in half is chaste, archaic;
But mine resembles a mosaic.
Her poems are bitter, biting, and savagely good. I wanted to memorize almost all of them.
Clever wordplay abounds. Observe how she calls some former suitors a nasty name, without ever saying the word:
The lads I've met in Cupid's deadlock
Were-shall we say-born out of wedlock.
Hehehehehe...
This is a wonderful collection to have and to hold.
It's a rare woman who can turn heartache into such pure delight.
And we all benefit from her misery.
You've heard, no doubt, the one about girls who wear glasses. (It's not true, I'm happy to say!)
But what about this one?
A heart in half is chaste, archaic;
But mine resembles a mosaic.
Her poems are bitter, biting, and savagely good. I wanted to memorize almost all of them.
Clever wordplay abounds. Observe how she calls some former suitors a nasty name, without ever saying the word:
The lads I've met in Cupid's deadlock
Were-shall we say-born out of wedlock.
Hehehehehe...
This is a wonderful collection to have and to hold.
It's a rare woman who can turn heartache into such pure delight.
Read
January 20, 2012Dorothy's reputation as a wit sabotages her poetry, which is largely unfunny. The world is not vast enough to include Dorothy's one-liners about Calvin Coolidge and poems like:
The Leal
The friends I made have slipped and strayed,
And who's the one that cares?
A trifling lot and best forgot --
And that's my tale, and theirs.
Then if my friendships break and bend,
There's little need to cry
The while I know that every foe
Is faithful till I die.
("Leal" means "loyal and true.") Actually, this poem is funny, but in a mournful way. As a poet, Dorothy is like a tormented Edna Saint Vincent Millay. Not as powerful a composer, but similarly out-of-date, a beggar in the marketplace of poesy. Here is a great poem:
Penelope
In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
He shall cut the glittering way.
I shall sit at home, and rock;
Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock;
Brew my tea, and snip my thread;
Bleach the linen for my bed.
They will call him brave.
The Leal
The friends I made have slipped and strayed,
And who's the one that cares?
A trifling lot and best forgot --
And that's my tale, and theirs.
Then if my friendships break and bend,
There's little need to cry
The while I know that every foe
Is faithful till I die.
("Leal" means "loyal and true.") Actually, this poem is funny, but in a mournful way. As a poet, Dorothy is like a tormented Edna Saint Vincent Millay. Not as powerful a composer, but similarly out-of-date, a beggar in the marketplace of poesy. Here is a great poem:
Penelope
In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
He shall cut the glittering way.
I shall sit at home, and rock;
Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock;
Brew my tea, and snip my thread;
Bleach the linen for my bed.
They will call him brave.
March 14, 2009
at first I dismissed these poems as too "sing-songy" but after a while, the simple truths about humanity, gender roles, and emotion came blazing forth with expletive force. This is, hands-down, a stunningly morbid (though rich and vital) collection that is sure to be admired for generations.
October 27, 2011
I could read every single poem over and over again and will never get bored with them.
They are witty, hilarious, truthful, and sarcastic. These are all the characteristics that make Dorothy Parker and this is the reason why she was unique and famous.
They are witty, hilarious, truthful, and sarcastic. These are all the characteristics that make Dorothy Parker and this is the reason why she was unique and famous.
May 9, 2012
This is one of my all time favorite collections of poetry. A must for Dorothy Parker fans.
February 11, 2014
I highly recommend this, like everything Dorothy Parker wrote,
December 6, 2017
Parker waxes and winks through all of love's most interesting conditions - be it torn, -lorn, or worn - and a few other matters like murder, revenge, and the humble porcupine for the rest of us.
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August 23, 2018Reread it on the anniversary of her birthday - she's wonderful
February 18, 2025
Dorothy Parker - A tongue in cheek writer, part of the algonquin round table, shows her wit and slicing humor in this collection of poems. One of my favorites in this collection is "A Very Short Song"
ONCE, when I was young and true,
Someone left me sad�
Broke my brittle heart in two;
And that is very bad.
Love is for unlucky folk,
Love is but a curse.
Once there was a heart I broke;
And that, I think, is worse.
ONCE, when I was young and true,
Someone left me sad�
Broke my brittle heart in two;
And that is very bad.
Love is for unlucky folk,
Love is but a curse.
Once there was a heart I broke;
And that, I think, is worse.
June 22, 2013
She is clearly a brilliant, witty, sarcastic, and lonely woman. I went to New York recently and happened upon the Algonquin and took a picture of it. Don't know if I pity her but I surely don't envy her.
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February 13, 2010I love you, book! I will make lots of people read you, because you are good!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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