Road-Side Dog

Milosz writes so sparingly, so effortlessly and with such whimsicality (one cover reviewer refers to Milosz' essential "elusiveness") that one is simply not aware of technique. I am reminded of the way that the notes of a Mozart symphony or Bach cantata seem to spring forth in perfect order yet with absolute spontaneity. Having recently read the novel "The Issa Valley" I was not disappointed in "The Road-side Dog" although the form is completely different. The latter consists of a collection of one paragraph to several page prose vignettes and similarly sparing poems. If a great short story writer takes the reader on a journey and communicates insights in in several pages, Milosz in this book does the same in no more than several paragraphs. Discovering Milosz in the last 12 months has made a wonderful impact on my literary life. Philip Pogson

Milosz has given us another wonderful book - one firmly planted in memories but not obcessed with the past. A wonderful section is devoted to poetic ideas that he has never written which he offers as potential ideas for those who are younger. Unlike many who espouse religion, he is very open regarding sexual desires and as such he appears to be a whole and genuine person not a literary front. As for the quality of his poetry and prose, there is a reason he was awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature - this book confirms the appropriateness of that award.

He is able to see into the human heart and condition from childhood to old age and then to describe its humor, wonderment, joy and sadness in poetry-like prose. Guaranteed to claim a permanent place in your reading "heart."