Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays

by Mary Oliver

Book Overview

A perfect introduction to Mary Oliver's poetry, this stunning collection features 26 nature poems and prose writings about the birds that played such an important role in the Pulitzer Prize winner's life.

Within these pages you will find hawks, hummingbirds, and herons; kingfishers, catbirds, and crows; swans, swallows and, of course, the snowy owl, among a dozen others-including ten poems that have never before been collected. She adds two beautifully crafted essays, "Owls," selected for the Best American Essays series, and "Bird," a new essay that will surely take its place among the classics of the genre.

In the words of the poet Stanley Kunitz, "Mary Oliver's poetry is fine and deep; it reads like a blessing. Her special gift is to connect us with our sources in the natural world, its beauties and terrors and mysteries and consolations."

For anyone who values poetry and essays, for anyone who cares about birds, Owls and Other Fantasies will be a treasured gift; for those who love both, it will be essential reading.

This book was published with two different covers. Customers will be shipped the book with one of the available covers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807068756
• ISBN13: 9780807068755
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.2" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Great read

This is a great read. I had just heard of Mary's work and ordered quite few of her books. They are all wonderful. She has such a wonderful way to look at nature and the world in general.

Beautiful and touching.

As always, Mary Oliver does not disappoint. She is my favorite living poet. Her observations of nature and her beautiful way of expressing them touch something deep inside.

Lovely Poetry

I just discovered Mary Oliver. What a beautiful anthology of poems and essays. I especially enjoyed her reflections on owls. Highly recommended.

Great gift!

I purchased this book for a birder friend that never reads poetry and she absolutely loves the book! The book is filled with the sights, sounds, and imagery of nature (in both essay and poetry) as only Mary Oliver can breathe them into life through uncomplicated words and a genuine love of all things.