READING GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS

I came across a wonderful review of Hopkins' first published book of poems. The review appeared in the young Poetry Magazine in 1918, and I give the author, Edward Sapir, a ton of credit for recognizing the genius in a poet who, at the time, was being strongly ridiculed for his wild originality. Here is a quote from the review:

"His voice is easily one of the half dozen most individual voices in the whole course of English nineteenth-century poetry. One may be repelled by his mannerisms, but he cannot be denied that overwhelming authenticity, that almost terrible immediacy of utterance, that distinguishes the genius from the man of talent. I would compare him to D. H. Lawrence but for his far greater sensitiveness to the music of words, to the rhythms and ever-changing speeds of syllables."