A review by terhangus
A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver

5.0

i think i'm biased, because i'm a mary oliver stan, but seriously!!! this book is so good. it's the perfect mixture of talking about technique & just her thoughts as a poet, succinct, and never wandering too much but always coming back to the right path. particularly loved the discussion on sounds (liquids, mutes, etc), texture, personification, and workshops ("writing without the responsibility of writing a 'genuine poem'"!). i also loved the tone she adopts in this - not necessarily like a friend, not necessarily a teacher, but somebody who understands, who's there for you no matter what. i hope this brings me out of my poetry drought, but as she says - the process of consuming is inherently important.

"what i think of all the time is how to have more patience, and a wilder will - how to see better, and write better."