The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston
In this savage yet beautiful book length poem Michael Lieberman captures the rage of men in modern society. He reimagines the characters of Homer's Iliad, recasts them, and sets them in conflict in today's Houston. Unflinching is its descriptions of violence, The Houstiliad implicitly contrasts the rage of Homer's Achilles which was specific and focused with the free-floating rage of contemporary men. Though unsparing in its descriptions, Lieberman's portrait is leavened by lovely lyric passages, reflection, and humor. For those who care about the complicated role of men in modern society this book is revelatory without promising an easy path to redemption or honor.

                                    Achilles' wrath is where our tale begins
                                    then spools out venom and men's mortal sins.
                                    It's tempered true yet riffs on Homer's style,
                                    suffused with guile, grit, and mordant wile.

                                                               *  *  *
                                    Men savage men in violent travails
                                    though in the end it's humor that prevails.
1121978624
The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston
In this savage yet beautiful book length poem Michael Lieberman captures the rage of men in modern society. He reimagines the characters of Homer's Iliad, recasts them, and sets them in conflict in today's Houston. Unflinching is its descriptions of violence, The Houstiliad implicitly contrasts the rage of Homer's Achilles which was specific and focused with the free-floating rage of contemporary men. Though unsparing in its descriptions, Lieberman's portrait is leavened by lovely lyric passages, reflection, and humor. For those who care about the complicated role of men in modern society this book is revelatory without promising an easy path to redemption or honor.

                                    Achilles' wrath is where our tale begins
                                    then spools out venom and men's mortal sins.
                                    It's tempered true yet riffs on Homer's style,
                                    suffused with guile, grit, and mordant wile.

                                                               *  *  *
                                    Men savage men in violent travails
                                    though in the end it's humor that prevails.
11.99 In Stock
The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston

The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston

by Michael Lieberman
The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston

The Houstiliad: An Iliad for Houston

by Michael Lieberman

eBook

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Overview

In this savage yet beautiful book length poem Michael Lieberman captures the rage of men in modern society. He reimagines the characters of Homer's Iliad, recasts them, and sets them in conflict in today's Houston. Unflinching is its descriptions of violence, The Houstiliad implicitly contrasts the rage of Homer's Achilles which was specific and focused with the free-floating rage of contemporary men. Though unsparing in its descriptions, Lieberman's portrait is leavened by lovely lyric passages, reflection, and humor. For those who care about the complicated role of men in modern society this book is revelatory without promising an easy path to redemption or honor.

                                    Achilles' wrath is where our tale begins
                                    then spools out venom and men's mortal sins.
                                    It's tempered true yet riffs on Homer's style,
                                    suffused with guile, grit, and mordant wile.

                                                               *  *  *
                                    Men savage men in violent travails
                                    though in the end it's humor that prevails.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781680030563
Publisher: Texas Review Press
Publication date: 12/01/2015
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 208
File size: 421 KB

About the Author

MICHAEL LIEBERMAN, retired research physician, is the author of six books of poems and three previous novels: Never Surrender--Never Retreat, The Lobsterman’s Daughter, and The Women of Harvard Square. He lives in Houston with his wife, the writer Susan A. Lieberman.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Characters x

Book I Mayhem in the Park 1

Book II Briseis, the Beautiful 9

Book III Boutique Cythera 21

Book IV A Meeting of the Minds 31

Book V The Jealous Husband 45

Book VI The Biker and the Bird 57

Book VII Desertion and Abduction 67

Book VIII High Crimes and Misdemeanors 79

Book IX The Iliad and The Alamo 91

Book X Ajax Gross and Ajax Kurtz 105

Book XI Café Apollo 115

Book XII Avicide 127

Book XIII Skirmish at White Oak Bayou 141

Book XIV The Biker Kills the Hammer 153

Book XV Six and a Half Ways of Honoring a White Macaw 165

Pronunciation of Proper Names 181

Acknowledgements 185

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