Fiddler Crab | Literary Criticism & Book Review

Fiddler Crab Critical Overview

Given that Jacobsen is considered a contemporary poet, there has been a surprisingly substantial amount of criticism written about her work. On the other hand, it might be fair to say that very little has been written about her body of work that spans eight decades. Regardless, Nancy Sullivan's praise in the Hollins Critic summarizes Jacobsen's greatness, stating, “The energy and quality of Josephine Jacobsen's work in poetry, fiction, and criticism, as well as her public service on behalf of poetry, are remarkable.” Jacobsen is easily one of the twentieth-century's greatest poets, writers, lecturers, and critics. Her work is highly spiritual, yet not preachy or overtly in support of a religious doctrine. Although she was a devout Catholic, her poems explore her individual pursuit of spirituality, her personal interpretations of the word of God, and her never-ending search for answers to the mysteries of life and faith.

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