Reviews

The Peace of Wild Things: And Other Poems by Wendell Berry

clemhumb's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective

5.0

sarahgamal666's review against another edition

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4.0

reading this feels like being in my grandparents' house

rdaught's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

4.25

ktbee's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

forgereads17's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

5.0

timhoiland's review against another edition

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slow-paced

5.0

thomasgoddard's review against another edition

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3.0

After Half-Finished Heaven by Tomas Tranströmer, I was all set to read another nature inspired collection of poetry and I wasn’t disappointed by the images conjured up!

This one was not as smooth and gentle, nor quite so elegant as Tranströmer. That said - it is a different beast for it doesn’t so much examine our human encroachment into the natural world, as it does simply and rawly express the inexcusable harm we do. So you can forgive the change in approach.

This one seemed a lot more raging... understandably.

There is little peace here.

I was also a little set back by the American twang of it all. There’s a sense here that what Wendell intends on preserving is itself a form of damaging influence... at least in my interpretation.

But I was more often struck by its majestic sweeping ideas and everything felt very expansive. I’ll revisit this. A solid collection.

thegrimbookworm's review against another edition

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5.0

This collection is full of poetry both whimsy and melancholy - especially towards the end of the collection. It's his ode to the beauty of life and nature, and a message to the evil machines - and those who operate them - working to destroy it. He's also got a collection of essays written with the same message in mind that I'm interested in reading someday.

I don't read poetry often, but when I do, I feel a sense of serenity as I get swept up by the lyrical words. Even with more melancholy toned poetry I find myself in a state of calm. So, it's safe to say that I rather enjoyed this book of poetry by Wendell Berry. I know there's more collections of his poetry out there, I might have to pick them up to add to this one!

I will most certainly be picking up this book again, whenever I feel the need to read a poem or two. 

versmonesprit's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

Hard to comment on poetry this beautiful, both in lyricism and in message, in imagery and in philosophy. I’ve waited to write this review for nearly a week, and I’m still at a loss for words. Wendell Berry writes from the heart about nature, camaraderie, and overall, connection. His passion for the earth, and against the systems that have destroyed it, is wonderful.

espresoul's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.5