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The Poetry Pharmacy: Tried-and-True Prescriptions for the Mind, Heart and Soul by William Sieghart
tanemariacris's review
Last year, Intelligence Squared hosted a wonderful discussion on the power of poetry, based on the release of this book, which I urge you to check out on YouTube. William Sieghart is joined by Jeannette Winterson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Tom Burke, and Sue Perkins for almost 2 hours of insightful exchanges and touching performances that I wished could have kept going on and on.
I instantly became enamoured with the concept of this book and with what William Sieghart does, using poems as balms for the soul, rendering them accessible to everyone, and harnessing their ability to connect us with other, making us feel understood. For sure, it's a volume that I shall turn to when I need a prescription for my inner ailments.
I shall conclude this with a quote by Alan Bennett that is included both in the book and in the conversation that I've mentioned before:
I instantly became enamoured with the concept of this book and with what William Sieghart does, using poems as balms for the soul, rendering them accessible to everyone, and harnessing their ability to connect us with other, making us feel understood. For sure, it's a volume that I shall turn to when I need a prescription for my inner ailments.
I shall conclude this with a quote by Alan Bennett that is included both in the book and in the conversation that I've mentioned before:
The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.
dorilyss's review against another edition
5.0
The idea too is quite interesting! A great idea, I'm not that much for poetry, so I could see this as a good starting point for discovery
charcharbiddle's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Lovely book, liked the concept of a prescription poem. Feel this is a book I will come back to and read parts of again.
from My Brilliant Image by Hafez
translated by Daniel Ladinsky
I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness, The Astonishing Light Of your own Being!
from My Brilliant Image by Hafez
translated by Daniel Ladinsky
I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness, The Astonishing Light Of your own Being!
beccapaul's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I love poetry!!!!!!!!!
This is such a wonderful and accessible collection. William Sieghart provides beautiful commentary alongside the poems he prescribes. I've owned and dipped into this book for years, it's definitely my most recommended book to others (I've bought several copies for friends before), so I thought it was finally time to sit down and read every single poem. As expected--it was a delight.
This is such a wonderful and accessible collection. William Sieghart provides beautiful commentary alongside the poems he prescribes. I've owned and dipped into this book for years, it's definitely my most recommended book to others (I've bought several copies for friends before), so I thought it was finally time to sit down and read every single poem. As expected--it was a delight.