I am coming to terms that Seth Abramson is writing poetry reviews for one of the most widely disseminated outlets in the world (Huffington Post).

I am even coming to terms with his praiseful style of reviewing.

Don’t get me wrong. I wish he’d be a little more… critical, perhaps? That he’d insert himself into his reviews, by which I mean, Abramson, you, me… we all have styles and writers we particularly like and it’s okay to be out in front with that a little. You don’t want to say, ‘I don’t like rhyming poetry, so I hate this book.’ But you do want to own your likes, dislikes, influences, etc. Own your favoritism. Otherwise, your reviews tend to get a little too consistently, unabashedly full of voluptuous praise without the reader being able to a clear distinction between works. Because when I read a positive review by him, I still don’t have much idea if I’ll like the book, because I don’t have a clear idea of what the reviewer likes, because he seems to like everything (‘good poetry’ is not a helpful category, in this regard).

But, here are his November reviews (yes, I know it’s freaking December, get off my back) – November 2012 Contemporary Poetry Reviews

If you read ’em, you’ll see why I am coming to terms with his style, because he’s starting to do what I’ve been looking for.

His review of Eyelid Lick, despite being ostensibly positive, can’t really hide that fact that Abramson clearly just ain’t a fan. Nope.

And if Abramson’s review of The Talking Day had anymore backhanded compliments, it’d be playing professional tennis (get it – ‘backhanded compliments’ and ‘backhand’ is the swing you use in tennis when the ball is coming towards your off hand; whatever, it’s an awesome joke and you’re a jerk for not getting it right away).