Divine Comedies

Divine Comedies is James Merrill's seventh poetry collection, published in 1976 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. The volume contains the 92-page "The Book of Ephraim" along with nine shorter poems including "Lost in Translation" and "The Kimono." The book marks Merrill's first major work to openly incorporate his experiences with the Ouija board, which he used as a creative tool alongside his partner David Jackson. Through this unconventional method, Merrill claims to have communicated with various historical poets and figures, including W.H. Auden and filmmaker Maya Deren. The collection represents a significant departure in both form and subject matter from traditional confessional poetry, exploring supernatural and spiritual landscapes. The work challenges conventional boundaries between the physical and metaphysical while examining themes of communication, translation, and the nature of artistic inspiration.

Readers highlight the linguistic complexity and layered references in Divine Comedies, particularly in "The Book of Ephraim." Many note the collection represents Merrill's most accessible work while maintaining his signature style. Readers appreciate: - The blend of supernatural and mundane themes - Precise technical control of form and meter - Integration of personal narrative with broader themes Common criticisms: - Dense references require multiple readings - Some sections feel deliberately obscure - Length can be overwhelming for new readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (8 reviews) Notable reader comments: "The occult elements add depth without becoming gimmicky" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful but exhausting - took me weeks to unpack certain passages" - Amazon reviewer "His most intimate and revealing collection" - Poetry Foundation forum member

Garbage, by A.R. Ammons This poetry collection explores communication with the spiritual world through mundane objects and everyday experiences, mirroring Merrill's unconventional approach to metaphysical themes.

The Dream Songs by John Berryman The experimental form and blend of voices in Berryman's sequence connects to Merrill's multilayered channeling of different personas and spirits.

The Truth and Life of Myth by Robert Duncan Duncan's exploration of myth and spirituality through poetry creates parallel connections to Merrill's supernatural poetic investigations.

The Changing Light at Sandover by James Merrill This expanded work builds directly from the Ouija board communications first developed in Divine Comedies, taking the supernatural elements to greater depths.

H.D.: Collected Poems by H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) H.D.'s incorporation of mystical experiences and classical mythology into modernist poetry provides a framework similar to Merrill's metaphysical explorations.

🌟 The Ouija board sessions that inspired "The Book of Ephraim" were conducted over 20 years with Merrill's partner David Jackson, using a teacup instead of the traditional planchette. 🌟 James Merrill came from extraordinary wealth—his father founded Merrill Lynch—but chose to dedicate his life to poetry rather than finance, living off a modest trust fund. 🌟 "The Changing Light at Sandover," which grew from "Divine Comedies," became one of the longest poems in English literature at 560 pages, taking 17 years to complete. 🌟 The spirits Merrill claimed to communicate with included W.H. Auden, Wallace Stevens, and even the archangel Michael, forming an elaborate cosmic mythology in his work. 🌟 The collection's revolutionary blend of high culture and supernatural elements influenced a generation of poets and helped legitimize occult themes in serious contemporary poetry.