A Poetry Handbook: A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry

A Very helpful book for a beginner writer! ❤️📖

Wonderful book that shines a light behind Mary Oliver's amazing ability to write poetry that appears deceptively simple but carries great meaning and reflection. An invaluable addition to any aspiring poet's library

At some points in this book I was surprised by how rigid Oliver's ideas about poetry are, since her poems themselves come across as so wildly intense and beautiful. There were moments where the way she described the effect that certain line lengths or rhythms or devices have, and it felt a little cold. BUT having said that, it's written very clearly and I felt at most points that she was on the money. She pointed out many things about the effects of different, for examples, meters that I hadn't noticed before. And she talked about writing poetry in a way that introduced several new ideas to my thinking. Overall I got a lot out of it. My thinking has become more nuanced as a result. She also has a very encouraging attitude towards how great poetry gets written - i.e. it's mostly about hard work, not about being special or inspired.

This was a gift for my husband who has started writing poetry during lockdown. Although he has said it was heavy reading he has found it really helpful, so I guess I would recommend it!

Nice informative book

I am only halfway through the book at this writing but I am very happy I purchased it as it is a very sane and simple, honest and thoughtful, calm book about poetry. The author is low on bells and whistles it is just simple direct advice and musings.

Inspiring and practical. This is not a book with loads of poetry exercises, I would say it would suit the more experienced poet who has already attended workshops and can write and edit their own poetry. It is more about helping with any doubts you may have and inspiring you to take your work to a new level.

The title and subtitle say it all. It's a fine introduction, pithy and wise; one of my favourites.

First time trying poetry. Got this Poetry Handbook along with Devotions by Mary Oliver. It is of great help.

Una autora magnífica que nos dejó unos poemas (y prosa) que son pura belleza Y en este libro sus consideraciones, su íntima guía poética se revelan imprescindibles

After reading this, I'll surely go on with "Rules for the dance", the following book about poetry. Mary is the best.

Grande autora!

Mary Oliver is a well-known, distinguished poet. Her book "A Poetry Handbook" was recommended to me by a professor from my current MFA Poetry program and it has been both a surprise, and a confirmation that poets themselves (not academics and critics) have the deepest insight into how to write a good poem. Oliver suggests that poetry is like a current ready to flow through you. It is not merely "an acquisition," a skill, or something outside yourself - but more a combination of punctuality in "showing up" to do the work, and an opening of the heart (or,as Oliver calls it: "that shy factory of the emotion.") Each chapter addresses component parts of poetry writing: line, sound, diction, imagery, voice and more. Oliver's choice of poets: Whitman, Bishop, James Wright, Frost, Pound, are all strong choices, their poems providing supportive examples of her discussion of craft. Most importantly, however, she provides the best piece of advise in her opening chapters: read, read, read poems. To be a good poet, you must read a range of poetry, spanning history and geography and style. And after that, Oliver provides the surprise (a heady permission I learned in my very early years of writing which has held fast through many moments of flagging confidence and motivation) "Imitate." We read, we imitate, and from this process we find our own voice and style. As Oliver tells us: "It demands finally, a thrust of our own imagination - a force, a new idea - to make sure that we don't merely copy, but inherit, and proceed from what we have learned." Though beautifully simple and straightforward, I would not categorize this book as being for any particular level of writer: beginner, or accomplished. The beginner will learn well and happily, and the more accomplished writer will find again and again, much needed resonance for the continuing passion of writing poetry.