“Even if his philosophy does not satisfy us, we must enjoy his art. If we cannot believe that he tells us the truth about the nature of the universe, he tells us many incidental truths about the nature of man.”
+ − The Times [London] Lit Sup p573 S 9 ’20 2500w
SARETT, LEW R. Many many moons; a book of wilderness poems. *$1.50 Holt 811
20–6453
Of these poems on Indian themes the author says that they “are in no sense literal translations of original utterances of aboriginal song and council-talk; they are, rather, very free, broad interpretations ... in the light of Indian symbolism and mysticism, of the mythology and superstition involved, and of the attendant ceremonies.” (Preface) This is especially true of Parts I and III of the poems, and an appendix of expository comments has been added to make them clearer to the reader. Part II consists of nature poems giving the atmosphere of the Indian’s environment. The book has an introduction by Carl Sandburg and the three parts are: Flying moccasins; Lone fires; Chippewa monologues.
“A book of beautiful, rugged verse.”
+ Booklist 16:306 Je ’20
“Mr Sarett makes one understand the Indian. We understand the Indian in relation to his thoughts, moods, his customs, his legends, his symbolism, his natural mysticism. With the poet’s full equipment, he has psychologically become an Indian and thus his interpreter to the outside world. ‘Many many moons’ is a remarkable book!” W: S. Braithwaite
+ Boston Transcript p8 My 8 ’20 2300w + Cleveland p86 O ’20 50w