Selected Poems

In this book published by New Directions is compiled the more noteworthy poems out of Montale's first three volumes of poetry, in a facing page translation from the Italian. Although not his best work (a title I'd rather reserve for his "Satura"), the poems of this period are essential to becoming familiar with Montale's technique, which reaches its highest point in the profound "Picollo testamento (Little Testament)." The layout of this edition leaves a lot to be desired, but still provides the best introduction to this Nobel laureate's early poetry.