This superb collection of Jozsef's poetry is a wonderful introduction to his work. This was also my introduction to his work, so I found Ozsvath's introductory biography and Turner's analysis of Jozsef's poetry quite welcome and insightful. Jozsef's poetry is lyrically balanced and a beautiful representation of the dark and light contained in one's inner self. His injection of politics and his personal life into the poems is masterful and captivating. Be sure to check out "With a Pure Heart", "Ode", and "Lay Your Hand" (those being among my favorites). Any reader interested in the effects of mental illness on an artist's work will find this collection fascinating and intense.

Do not believe the editorial review, the Bátki translations are lousy. I am a Hungarian and these are much closer to the originals. To be more precise, no translation comes close to the originals in his case... The Bátki ones are almost mirror translations with no rhyme at all. Maybe one should read them together? Anyway, for one book one should buy this. (Or learn Hungarian... provided one's interested in free word order and such delicacies.) And whether he committed suicide or not is still open to debate; latest research shows it might had been an accident.

The peoms in this book reflect many aspects of Attila Jozef's life. This book has a very apt title as is conveys the sorrow of the poet. His longing for his deceased mother is also very evident throughout many of his poems. The poet has a very descriptive use of words that successfully relate his emotions to the reader. This book serves a very interesting variety of poems.

The poems in this book reflect many aspects of Attila Jozef's life. This book has a very apt title as it conveys the sorrow present in the authors life. His longing for his deceased mother is present in a number of poems. The poet's use of language successfully relates his emotions to the reader. This books provides a very interesting variey of poems.

Perched on Nothing's Branch proved to be a very dramatic expression of Attila's life. At times, the book of poems was a bit difficult to analyze and comprehend. However, Peter Hargitai's translation guided the reader through the author's symbolic undertones, which once understood revealed to be quite intriguing. It is a book of poems that should be read more than once due to complex situations and intense erotic imagery. I don't think I would recommend it to just anyone, only the few deep thinkers who enjoy poetry.