Reviews
of Greatest Hits
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"Language is his music and his ear is tuned to itfrom liner
notes to riff and nuance, this book's sections shift and change between belonging
and alienation as they travel the heart's path. This poet speaks of and for
the human spirit as he explores our connection with the natural world and with
each other."
Judith Minty
"These are such well-made poems. Manifest is the sharp edge of self-editing
and a careful ear. Sheehan understands the traffic between myth and biography,
the space between utterance and quiet. Greatest Hits is a powerful and
welcome debut."
Thomas Lynch
"These poems display
poise and resilience in their constant effort to maintain balance in an often
rocky present and in the face of an always uncertain future looming around 'the
next unpaved turn.' Sheehan finds music wherever he cantakes solace
in it, celebrates itthe music that blurs the line between 'where
the body ends and the world begins.' The music of this book will stay with you
long after you close it. Greatest Hits is a remarkable collection."
Jim Daniels
Sheehan brings to life the dreams of working-class youth, in rural hamlets and factory towns, bikers and strippers, the young married and quickly divorcedthe dull, inescapable ache of wanting to weep and not having the words.
Vince Gotera, North American Review