From the First Nine: Poems, 1946-1976

In 1982, this book was brought out as a companion to THE CHANGING LIGHT AT SANDOVER, which is definitely what I recommend reading of Merrill if one reads nothing else. Going up to the book DIVINE COMEDIES 1976, this ample collection is far more manageable (and affordable) than the brand new 2001 COLLECTED POEMS. There is also a SELECTED POEMS which encompasses Merrill's poems through 1985. This doesn't mean a whole lot is added over this book, since Merrill was working on SANDOVER through most of the late 70's and early 80's.What I did, and what I recommend doing, is reading this book and deciding if one wants even more late and early Merrill, which is what the COLLECTED offers. I happen to find early Merrill rather dry and dull, although apparently Harold Bloom loved him. I also happen to find late Merrill a bit too willfully obscure. You can feel him teetering on the edge in SANDOVER. The COLLECTED also offers 25 verse translations and perhaps that will be the tipping point.The bottom line is, if one wants to get a sense of Merrill outside of SANDOVER, and if one wants to read the poems referred to in SANDOVER, this book allows one to do so. If one wants to own Merrill, lock stock and barrel, then the new COLLECTED POEMS plus the COLLECTED NOVELS plus SANDOVER is needed. Whichever one's preference, one is in for some great reading.