Bellocq's Ophelia: Poems

As has already been stated this book of poems is based off of photographs of light skinned African American women working as prostitutes in New Orleans around 1912. These photographs were taken by a man named Bellocq. Each poem connects to the same woman, Ophelia, and tells a story. Although each poem could stand alone they read beautifully together. Trethewey makes us ask what we can really get from a photograph. Can we know a person from pictures of them? Or is it a false front always put forward in a photo? Whatever conclusion you come to you will want to read and re-read this brief book of poems over and over again.The narrative voice Trethewey uses is first person through a series of letters. These are so beautiful and moving I simply cannot express it here in this review. Below is a sample of what I'm talking about:At last we are nearbreaking the season, sheddingour coats, the gray huskof winter. Each treetrembles with new leaves, tinyblossoms, the flashydress of spring. I amaware now of its comingas I've never been -the wet grass throbbingwith crickets, insistent, keenas desire. Now,I feel what trees must -budding, green sheaths splitting - skinthat no longer fits.It is obvious from this book of poetry why Trethewey was Poet Laureate. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel said it best, “More than mere photographs, these are love letters that open like windows onto the temple of Aphrodite. Women are free to step into and out of the picture frame to learn firsthand from these religious adepts.”

1. I re-ordered this remarkable book as I keep giving away my copies.2. I've shared selections of this book with my poetry groups. and others.3. Early in Natasha Tretheway's career she wrote this and her work continues to dazzle.I ordered this along with her Memorial Drive memoir. You should do the same.

Great book of poems told from the point of view of a Storyville prostitute at the turn of last century New Orleans. "Ophelia," a country girl who is part black, has fled her backwater small town to find work as a schoolteacher in NOLA. Failing that (she can't get hired because she is part black), she falls into prostitution. Eventually she runs into the fabled photographer E. J. Bellocq (Storyville Portraits, MOMA, 1973 - Bellocq's c. 1900 8x10 glass plate negs were discovered in NOLA and bought and published by photographer Lee Friedlander). Natasha Trethewey is very, very good. You feel you are there. Describes NOLA and life in a "house of ill repute" very believably.

Natasha Trethewey's poetry is always earthy and sophisticated all at once. In Bellocq's Ophelia she gives voice to the imagery of a New Orleans prostitute, a collage of the women seen in Bellocq's remarkable early twentieth century photographs. Telling a complex story in poetry, Ms Trethewey transcends Ophelia's specific situation and makes us look at the sad trajectory of a life that, like so many, took a different course than intended. Her skill as a poet makes it easy to understand why she was chosen as US Poet Laureate. Easily one of my favorite books of poetry. Highly recommended. The Last of the Pascagoula

Beautiful and touching. A brilliant idea to bring life to these haunting photographs captured by E.J. Bellocq. I've read and re-read this book a few times,

This is one of the most moving and hauntingly beautiful books of poetry one will ever have the experience of reading. It is a book I come back to over and over again, and each time, I am amazed at the beauty and power of the story and the words.

It was used for personal reading. Delivery was right on time as promised. Book was in good condition , no flaws. Satisfied!

This is a good book of poems. I am so enlightened after reading this, I may paint something. Great buy.