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

by Mary Oliver

Book Overview

"Mary Oliver would probably never admit to anything so grandiose as an effort to connect the conscious mind and the heart (that's what she says poetry can do), but that is exactly what she accomplishes in this stunning little handbook."--Los Angeles Times

From the beloved and acclaimed poet, an ultimate guide to writing and understanding poetry.

With passion and wit, Mary Oliver skillfully imparts...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156724006
• ISBN13: 9780156724005
• Release Date: August 1994
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.2" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 14 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher

Customer Reviews

An incredibly helpful guide full of useful insight

I ordered this for a creative writing class I was tsking and it helped me tremendously throughout the semester. I still use this book whenever I find myself ready to write poetry

An Indispensable Guide

Say what you will about her poetry, Mary Oliver clearly understands the technical aspects of the craft and in this small tome she conveys them brilliantly. With a clear voice and plenty of examples drawn from the masters of poetry, Oliver is able to bring great insights to the beginner or amateur poetry writer. It may be going just a bit far to say that Oliver's book is to poetry what Strunk & White's is to prose, but for the non-expert it feels awful close.

The "Elements of Style" for poetry

The book is a concise, brilliant guide for anyone interested in writing poetry or in understanding it better.

an inspiring guide to writing poetry

Mary Oliver's poetry itself can do some teaching on its own, but we can be grateful she's chosen to articulate the writing process so richly in this book. The book will almost certainly will wring some writing out of you; it will also inspire you to examine your work habits and technique. Oliver's intelligence shines through, and will make you a better reader of poetry. Small note on the previous review: Mary Oliver does, indeed, teach, at Bennington College currently. If you can't enroll there, this book is your next best choice.

Simply the best short book for writers of poetry

Mary Oliver chose to avoid teaching so she could concentrate on her poetry. Too bad for students. Here, however, she gives students and accomplished poets alike a sensible and sensitive handbook that conveys not only the craft of poetry but its power, its mystery, and its magic. Readers who say they don't like poetry should give Oliver a chance to change their minds and hearts