Paterson is both a place-the New Jersey city in whom the person (the poet's own life) and the public (the history of the region) are combined. Originally four books (published individually between 1946 and 1951), the structure of Paterson (in Dr. Williams' words) "follows the course of teh Passaic River" from above the great falls to its entrance into the sea. The unexpected Book Five, published in 1958, affirms the triumphant life of the imagination, in spite of age and death. This revised edition has been meticulously re-edited by Christopher MacGowan, who has supplied a wealth of notes and explanatory material. show more
'Paterson is Whitman's America, grown pathetic and tragic, brutalized by inequality, disorganized by industrial chaos, and faced with annihilation. No poet has written of it with such a combination of brilliance, sympathy, and experience, with such alertness and energy.' - Robert Lowell show more
About William Carlos Williams
Besides being a practicing physician, William Carlos Williams (1883-1963) was a poet, short-story writer, novelist, translator, playwright, and essayist whose contribution to the development of modern American poetry grew out of his commitment to recording the "local" experience of Rutherford, New Jersey, and its environs. show more
Rating details
2,935 ratings
4.14 out of 5 stars
5
43% (1,272)
4
34% (993)
3
17% (508)
2
4% (125)
1
1% (37)
Book ratings by Goodreads
Goodreads is the world's largest site for readers with over 50 million reviews. We're featuring millions of their reader ratings on our book pages to help you find your new favourite book.
Close
X
{"bd_js_shop":"Shop","bd_js_too_long_for_shipping_label":"Sorry, that's too long for our shipping labels","bd_js_why_are_you_leaving":"Why are you leaving?","bd_omnibus_ph1_price_statement_suffix":"vs RRP","bd_js_too_long":"Sorry, that's too long","bd_js_could_not_find_address_try_again":"Sorry, we couldn't find the address. Please try again","bd_js_lack_of_reviews":"Lack of reviews","bd_saving_percent_off":"{0}%<br>off","bd_js_missing_book_information":"Missing book information or cover","bd_js_total_basket_count":"{0, plural, one {You have <b><span class='item-count'>1</span> <span class='item-text'>item</span></b> in your basket} other {You have <b><span class='item-count'>#</span> <span class='item-text'>items</span></b> in your basket}}","bd_js_total_cost":"Total cost: <b class='pink-text big total'>{0}</b>","bd_js_show_less":"show less","bd_try_abe_books":"Try AbeBooks","bd_js_item_added_to_your_basket":"Item added to your basket","bd_js_quick_view":"Quick View","bd_js_lack_of_inside_images":"Lack of inside images","bd_rrp":"RRP","bd_link_prefix":"","bd_js_wrong_book_information":"Wrong book information or cover","bd_js_unable_get_address_enter_manually":"Sorry, we are unable to get the address. Please enter manually:","bd_js_keep_typing_to_refine_search_results":"Keep typing to refine the search results","bd_pre_order":"Pre-order","bd_js_top_categories":"Top Categories","bd_price_save":"Save {0}","bd_notify_me":"Notify me","bd_js_name_only_letters":"Sorry, full name can only contain letters","bd_js_show_more":"show more","bd_js_enter_valid_email_address":"Please enter a valid email address","bd_js_delivery_time":"Delivery time","bd_js_enter_address_manually":"Enter address manually","bd_js_more_categories":"More Categories","bd_30_day_low_price_carousel":"30-day low price","bd_js_continue_shopping":"Continue Shopping","bd_js_account_and_help":"Account & Help","bd_js_price":"Price","bd_js_basket_checkout":"Basket / Checkout","bd_add_to_basket":"Add to basket","bd_js_enter_first_last_name":"Please enter a first and last name","bd_js_please_enter_your":"Please enter your"}
