The Rain in Portugal

from jphamilton

Anytime I can spend time with the words of Billy Collins, life is good. While this wasn't one of my favorites of the many Collins collections I've read, I leave it with a smile and an appreciation of his talent.

from rmagahiz

This is another collection of somewhat lightweight verse, sometimes with a characteristic little turn in the last stanza veering off into some unexpected direction. It isn't the kind of poetry that works on the level of deep life-changing revelations, but more likely quirky little images or ideas...

from rmckeown

Mary Oliver is on the verge of overtaking Billy Collins as my favorite poet. His latest collection, The Rain in Portugal disappointed me ever so slightly. While the poems are all good - with most, great - I sensed, in some of the poems -- a loss of the subtle humor that first drew me to Collins. ...

from

I like Billy Collins even though his poems' last lines often take a vague right turn and bicycle into a parking lot. People who liked their humor and clarity used to suggest I teach his poems to my sixth graders, but they are clear only to adults. Twelve year olds find them more baffling than acc...

from Cariola

I've been a fan of Billy Collins's poetry for quite a few years and have especially enjoyed some of his earlier collections. This one, at least for me, falls a bit short. Collins is known for his down-to-earth style, offset by some startlingly brilliant imagery. [The Rain in Portugal] is heavy on...