Reviews

The Heart of Haiku by Jane Hirshfield

serenaac's review

5.0

The Heart of Haiku by Jane Hirshfield, which I first read about it on Beth Kephart’s blog, is lyrical, meandering, and informative not only about Haiku — the art, its origination, and its longevity — but also about one of the greatest poets, Bashō, who lived and breathed Haiku. Knowing very little about this Japanese poet from the 17th century doesn’t mean you don’t know him because as Hirshfield points out, he infuses every Haiku with his soul and experiences. Not only can readers live his moments alongside him, but they also can create their own experiences within the Haiku.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2013/03/the-heart-of-haiku-by-jane-hirshfield.html

purplesoul's review

5.0

Awesome

I enjoyed learning more of Bashō and the Haiku. The book was very informative and well written. I recommend the reading.

battlepoet's review

5.0

Oh! This was so fascinating! I learned a lot about Basho, Japan’s most famous haiku poet, more than I ever learned before. (I also want to read Hirshfield’s poetry…) I wish I had read this all in one sitting to really absorb it.

dianemichelle's review

4.0

Interesting story.

secrethistory's review

4.0

I'll admit, I didn't read the description of the book, just the title. I thought the book would be an overview of the entire history of haiku. It was not. Instead, it was a history of the poet Basho and of haiku in his time and leading up to it. Despite it not being what I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Basho's life was extremely interesting, and learning about it and the stages of writing he went through helped me to better understand his poems. The author also very helpfully talked about the form of haiku and used Basho's poems to illustrate the multiple ways one can interpret haiku. All this combined gave me not only a deeper understanding of Basho and his work, but of haiku as a form of writing. I am a little sad the author didn't give a brief overview of modern haiku and how it relates to Basho's 17th century compositions, but I can't really hold it against the author. It's a short little essay, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone with even a vague interest in haiku or even Japanese history and culture.

o88's review

4.0

Year after year,
the monkey's face,
wears a monkey's face

this autumn,
why do I grow old?
a bird entering clouds


There is an elegance and sophistication to haiku that I find interesting. It has a zen-like quality and a potency that makes you pause when it's intention sinks in.

This book was a short and sweet little book on the life and poetry of free spirit and wanderer Matsuo Bashō and the art form known as haiku.

4/5

skateanddonate's review

4.0

This is a great read. I loved the creativity and spirit that was illustrated in the telling of Matsuo Bashō life story. I found it incredibly enlightening to learn the circumstances of his life while creating the memorable Haiku he wrote. A definite must read.

trilobiter's review

4.0

An interesting essay on the philosophy of creativity, as applied to the life of a notable poet. I was surprised at how short it was, though by now I guess I should realize that a thing's brevity in itself is not a count againdt it.

abetterjulie's review

4.0

Excellent longread essay that stands as a single on the Kindle. It introduces the reader to Basho and his life, as well as offering a glimpse at the philosophies which underpin his work.
I would recommend this as an easy and concise way to grasp the nuance of Haiku form and meaning.

mrshendricks's review

3.0

Haiku is a form of poetry that I've always enjoyed since first learning about it in elementary school. Buddhism, the bits and pieces of it that I'm acquainted with, has resonated with me as an adult. This book brought those two together.