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cloudedbyte's review against another edition
5.0
It's such a delightful book that I'm afraid that I don't have enough words to describe how much I liked it. To tell you the truth I would never expect myself to enjoy a book on this particular subject. So I am surprised on so many levels. I guess that's what poetry for.
evilyreading's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
There's a ton of info in here, but I was hoping for something more like a workbook with prompts.
sutoscience's review against another edition
5.0
A good book that covers the basics of poetry with some good technique notes
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
This really is a great book of fundamentals for anyone who reads, writes, or appreciates poetry. Having a good understanding of the basic building blocks of what makes things good really heightens the overall experience of reading poetry, and I'm glad I have this book in my reference stack for future use!
Oliver is also a very charismatic writer - while she's delivering a lot of definitions here, it also is heightened by little bits of humor and it made reading it more enjoyable than the typical textbook full of just descriptions.
Oliver is also a very charismatic writer - while she's delivering a lot of definitions here, it also is heightened by little bits of humor and it made reading it more enjoyable than the typical textbook full of just descriptions.
richardleis's review against another edition
5.0
A useful, inspiring, succinct overview of writing (and reading) poetry. I read A Poetry Handbook twice in three months, the second time while taking notes and to put me in the frame of mind I need to be in for an intense new year I plan to devote to poetry. Mary Oliver provides useful advice (Write! Read! Imitate! Persist!); introduction to various elements of craft; chapters devoted to lines, some given forms, and free verse; and chapters about revision and workshops versus solitude, and she frequently surprises with fascinating insights and observations, such as her speculation about how and why free verse came to be around the turn of the 20th Century and became increasingly popular with readers.
Highly recommended if you need a gentle and beautifully written introduction to writing poetry and would welcome a book you will likely revisit from time to time as you develop as a writer and/or reader of poetry.
Highly recommended if you need a gentle and beautifully written introduction to writing poetry and would welcome a book you will likely revisit from time to time as you develop as a writer and/or reader of poetry.