The Beauty of the Husband

by Anne Carson
The Beauty of the Husband cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Technical:
  • ID: 645
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £16.00
Reviews
Jacket Magazine · Nadia Herman Colburn · 2025-09-18
enjoyable 4.50

They found the book enjoyable and fun to read, highlighting its lyricism and precision. The writing is compared favorably to Keats and Williams.

Nadia Herman Colburn really enjoyed this book, finding it a refreshing departure from much contemporary verse. They particularly appreciated the lyricism and precision of the writing, comparing it to the works of Keats and Williams. The narrative structure, told in 29 tangos, is engaging and keeps the reader hooked. Colburn also noted the dark humor and emotional depth, making it a moving and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    Unlike so much contemporary verse, The Beauty of the Husband is fun to read.

    At its best, its writing has the lyricism of Keats, the precision of Williams.

    The book is clear-eyed, brutal, moving, and darkly funny.

Triumph of the Now · 2020-02-08
compelling 4.20

The narrative of a crumbling marriage is told in a unique and accessible voice. The book is praised for its emotional depth and narrative structure.

The reviewer from Triumph of the Now found The Beauty of the Husband to be a compelling exploration of a failing marriage. They appreciated the unique narrative structure, told in 29 tangos, which makes the story both immediate and accessible. The emotional depth and raw honesty of the narrative resonated with them, making it a powerful read. The reviewer also noted the book's ability to balance brutality with moments of dark humor, adding layers to the storytelling.

Quick quotes

    The Beauty of the Husband tells a narrative about the beginning, the dissolution, and the aftermath of a bad marriage.

    The book is told in an immediate, accessible voice.

    It is clear-eyed, brutal, moving, and darkly funny.

The New York Times · 2001-09-30
innovative 4.00

The book is praised for its innovative form and emotional resonance. The reviewer found it to be a powerful exploration of love and betrayal.

The New York Times reviewer was impressed by the innovative form of The Beauty of the Husband, which uses the tango as a structural device to tell a story of love and betrayal. They found the emotional resonance of the narrative to be profound, making it a memorable read. The reviewer also noted the book's ability to blend lyricism with raw emotion, creating a powerful and moving experience. The exploration of Keats's idea that beauty is truth adds an intellectual depth to the personal story.

Quick quotes

    The writing of poetry is a way of holding out your hand in the dark.

    The book is an essay on Keats's idea that beauty is truth.

    It is told in 29 tangos, each one a step in the dance of a failing marriage.

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