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Rating: 
Summary: Genius
Review: Amichai's poetry, and especially this book, is the pristine instance of a Jewish literature. To Jews, or those interested in Jewish culture, Amichai's symbols and meditations will strike a profound chord, as he draws on Jewish culture--from Abraham to modernity--to create a comprehensive poetic representation of a people's collective conscience.However, even those with little interest in Jewish culture should be able to appreciate this work, as Amichai's commentary on the ephemerality of life, the beauty of love and the capriciousness of the world bears a profound appeal to all readers. I would recommend this book as a prime example of how beautiful modern poetry can be. Amichai takes ancient symbols and historical allusions, fits them into a uniquely modern meditation, and the result is breathtaking.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Another great collection from Amichai--this includes many new poems typical of his style as well as some long poems, which do not pop up in his English releases very often. Readers new to Amichai should probably start with his Selected Poems translated by Chana Bloch and Stephen Mitchell, or with Poems of Jerusalem and Love Poems (two books in one!). This new book contains some really beautiful work, but its only fault is that it appears to omit some recent Amichai poems that I'd seen in magazines. Something to whet the appetite for the next release, I hope.
Rating: 
Summary: Amichai struggles with eternity
Review: Compared to his earlier work, this is a disappointment. Themes which worked extraordinarily well in the past seem flat here. Anyone who has really read Amichai will understand this. The few good pieces presented here pale in comparison to those which may one day win Amichai a Nobel Prize, those tight, wonderfully written pieces which are memorable without effort. Unfortunately, there is not a line in this work which stands out. In this work Amichai is very reflective. He is reviewing his life, and though there are moments which seem tender it is a tenderness without the caress. A thoughtful work which does not leave one thinking very long. If you want to experience Amichai, read any of his earlier works, love poems etc. Or his last best book from 1989 "Gam ha-Egruf..."(In English, "Even the fist was once an open hand with fingers"). This work relies more on the great author's name to sell it then the quality of the work within. His earlier work sells itself easily because it was great, in and of itself.
Rating:
Summary: Amichai struggles with eternity
Review: Compared to his earlier work, this is a disappointment. Themes which worked extraordinarily well in the past seem flat here. Anyone who has really read Amichai will understand this. The few good pieces presented here pale in comparison to those which may one day win Amichai a Nobel Prize, those tight, wonderfully written pieces which are memorable without effort. Unfortunately, there is not a line in this work which stands out. In this work Amichai is very reflective. He is reviewing his life, and though there are moments which seem tender it is a tenderness without the caress. A thoughtful work which does not leave one thinking very long. If you want to experience Amichai, read any of his earlier works, love poems etc. Or his last best book from 1989 "Gam ha-Egruf..."(In English, "Even the fist was once an open hand with fingers"). This work relies more on the great author's name to sell it then the quality of the work within. His earlier work sells itself easily because it was great, in and of itself.
Rating:
Summary: Poetry for the soul
Review: The English translation of Yehudah Amichai's 1998 book of poetry. This is a magnum opus. A poet would be needed to describe the genius of his words. I never "get" poetry. It doesn't work for me. But then I read a poem by Yehudah Amichai and it made sense. Then I went to hear him at a reading at NYU several years ago, and it clicked. One wants to fall in love for the sole reason that one could then use one of his poems. Then I read an excerpt from this book last Fall in "The Forward," and for the past 6 months I have been anxious for this book's release. I bought this book and I consumed it. Reading his poems is like praying, like meditating. Here is one tiny excerpt that is reprinted with permission. If it clicks for you, get the book. "Tova's brother, whom I carried wounded from the battle at Tel Gath, / recovered and was forgotten because he recovered, and died / a few years later in a car crash, and was forgotten / because he died. And even if my bloodied hands / had been prophets then, my eyes saw not / and my feet knew not what the grain in the field knows, / that green wheat ripens yellow. / That's the life prophecy of a field of wheat."
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Ending
Review: This, the final of Yehuda Amichai's works, lays to rest a life and career memorable to no end. Open Closed Open is about the Israel that is and has been -- tensions that have not faded -- complexities that have not eroded -- and loves that remain in spite of it all. It is, in every sense, a book of poetry, of poetics unequalled. Please read Open Closed Open.
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Ending
Review: This, the final of Yehuda Amichai's works, lays to rest a life and career memorable to no end. Open Closed Open is about the Israel that is and has been -- tensions that have not faded -- complexities that have not eroded -- and loves that remain in spite of it all. It is, in every sense, a book of poetry, of poetics unequalled. Please read Open Closed Open.
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