alphabet Paperback – May 17, 2001

A structural wonder, based on the Fibonacci sequence and made alive by Inger Christensen. Its natural, chemical, industrial, and other structures divide, cell-like, into a growing universe—the accumulation of like sounds and repeated words underscores the increased length of each poem. But it is also a universe that, delicately structured as it is, is at ever increasing risk; as more volatile elements enter the system, there is more potential for its total annihilation.Gorgeous.

Inger Christensen illuminates simplicity... brilliantly

This book found me while I was beginning a series of works on Jutland, the Danish poet Inger Christensen's birthplace. It is an astonishing work, everfresh, original, and deeply, integrally beautiful. The poem is built upon the Fibonacci sequence of Leonardo of Pisa and Christensen, early trained as a mathematician, has used this cumulative sequence to create an organic, engaged, poetic masterpiece. This is breathing with numbers.

A stellar example of the Fibonacci sequence in poetry. I taught this book to my students as a text in translation as well.

Wonderful and interesting collection. Definitely recommend.

great

To describe this short book of poems as "breathtaking" would not be a hyperbole. "alphabet" did not merely impress and enchant me, it left me physically winded, gasping as I mouthed the words aloud and marveled at the beautiful writing and brilliant structure. This is not so much a poetry collection as it is a story-in-poetry - the poems form a clear and perfect whole, one that is quite frankly unlike any other book of poems I've ever read. And it's brilliant.The basic structure of "alphabet" as based on Fibonacci's sequence may seem like the important gimmick here, but don't be fooled. This concept essentially enables the book to unfold dramatically, with powerful jumps from one piece to the next. The poems aren't don't really start or end according to their official number, but there's still an obvious sense of structure and logic to the cutoffs. More than that, however, is the use of the alphabet as a structural tool. The repeating motifs and repeating sounds and letters for each poem are less obvious than the ever-increasing lengths of the poems, but they too serve as a reminder of an overarching CONCEPT to the book. "alphabet" isn't just another poetry collection. This is a wonderfully original and clever book as well, regardless its magical insides.And oh the poems themselves. Inger Christensen's use of repeating ideas and motifs builds magnificently towards the greater story, but even more there's the singular beauty of each line. A perfectly clean translation by Susanna Nied only emphasizes the power of Christensen's original prose. These are lines that must be read aloud, quoted, stroked, mulled over. These are poems to be read again and again.Highly recommended.

Simple edition.

Inspiring poetry - well worth reading slowly, and thinking about what is said.

Little overpriced, but a good read nonetheless.

this is a book in translation and I shall read it many times; Inger Christensen came to my attention through the Guardian weekend poetry column