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A Poetry Handbook
by
Mary Oliver
With passion, wit, and good common sense, the celebrated poet Mary Oliver tells of the basic ways a poem is built-meter and rhyme, form and diction, sound and sense. Drawing on poems from Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, and others, Oliver imparts an extraordinary amount of information in a remarkably short space. “Stunning” (Los Angeles Times). Index.
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
August 15th 1994
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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This book is delightful and interesting to read, despite being a type of textbook or "bible" for poetry. I enjoyed Mary Oliver's descriptions and discection of sounds, and how they are used to magnify thoughts and messages within poetry or in any written piece. Her insight into the use of certain letters to convey feelings and/or tone is fascinating, and extremely helpful for the budding writer. Mary Oliver uses the same mechanisms she describes within the book itself, which makes f...more
Shauna
rated it
Recommends it for:
people who want to refresh their knowledge of poetry
Recommended to Shauna by:
Emily Jiang
This book does exactly what you'd want an introductory book on writing poetry to do: It briefly (120 pages) reviews the basics of poetry, defines many poetry terms, introduces the reader to some popular meters, and uses real poems for examples.
I had learned much of this information decades ago in high school, but had not realized it until I started reading this book and realized I had come across this info before. I found it an excellent refresher for someone who wants to try their ...more
I had learned much of this information decades ago in high school, but had not realized it until I started reading this book and realized I had come across this info before. I found it an excellent refresher for someone who wants to try their ...more
The technical information was a little too basic for me, but it was executed in a refreshingly non-pedantic way. For example, Oliver comes right out and admits that there are no clear-cut rules on how to scan certain lines.
Oliver's insights about writing are very sound to me, she specifically emphasizes exercise and imitation as vital for a beginning poet. However, the book could have gone into a little more detail about pretty much anything it mentions. This way, readers come away fro...more
Oliver's insights about writing are very sound to me, she specifically emphasizes exercise and imitation as vital for a beginning poet. However, the book could have gone into a little more detail about pretty much anything it mentions. This way, readers come away fro...more
While Oliver knows her stuff and is respected, I don't find passion in this slim handbook as I do in other books in the genre such as Ted Kooser's Poetry Home Repair Manual or Edward Hirsch's How to Read a Poem. The sample poems she includes are not fully explored or mined as I would have hoped.
This book, along with The Rules of the Dance, gets 5 stars for totally bailing me out as a high school English teacher. I've always liked poetry but had no way to talk about it beyond something like "isn't that great?!" So when I suddenly found myself charged with the awesome responsibility of teaching poets like Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman and countless canonical others, I turned to Mary Oliver to help me sort it all out. She gracefully shows how to use words such as meter, rh...more
Mary Oliver is arguably one of the most widely honored poets in the United States and has won many awards for her writing. In her classic guide to understanding and writing poetry, A Poetry Handbook, Oliver discusses literary devises such as sound, diction, tone, voice, etc. She also gives many forms of poetry such as the sonnet, couplet, and tercet, and eventually gives great tips on the revision process and information on writing workshops.
This book I feel is an important foundation ...more
This book I feel is an important foundation ...more
There are parts of this book I do find useful, and other parts I do not. I agreed with much of what was said about different styles, and the use of poetry. At times I would agree, at others disagree, with her views of how to write. I might even do both at once (particularly in the section on revision). And I disagreed with most of the sections that dealt with learning to write (except for a few things about a workshop and solitude). I would have rated it as 2 instead of 3 stars, because I ...more
Mary Oliver is known for her blend of mysticism with Whitman's pastoral fixation. In that vein, this book on the craft of poetry does not disappoint. While other craft books may be more practical (such as the ever-popular The Poet's Companion), A Poetry Handbook probes deeper into the indefinable aspects of verse.
Some will tire of this quickly. Why write a book about the unnameable aspects of the art? Oliver's handbook is necessary because while skilled poets may see the strings of tal...more
Some will tire of this quickly. Why write a book about the unnameable aspects of the art? Oliver's handbook is necessary because while skilled poets may see the strings of tal...more
I bought A Poetry Handbook when I entered my first poetry-writing class as an undergrad. My professor was a notorious curmudgeon who didn't spare anyone's feelings and expected each progressive class in the term "to separate the sheep from the goats." I was determined not to be a sheep (or a goat?): I was going to be prepared! This book is amazingly detailed for a basic introduction and extremely useful for reading, writing, and talking about many different kinds of poems. A Poetry Han...more
Of course I'm a fan of everything Mary Oliver writes, so she is an excellent writer not only of but also on poetry. Her explanation on why Whitman is but one (oft-cited) example of free verse but is certainly not the last word in this dynamic form is itself a point worth heeding and one worth the the effort of the time it would take you to read this brief little volume. This example in particular showcases her lucidity and exemplary teaching style, which is shown again and again throughout.
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I used this the first two semesters that I taught my Creative Writing class at Old Westbury, but the students didn't connect to it the way I'd hoped. I use Ted Kooser's Poetry Home Repair Manuel now instead. It's more student-friendly.
But I'd still recommend this for the older, more advanced beginning writer. Being a fan of Oliver's poetry doesn't automatically make this book a good read. From what I recall, she doesn't use a lot of her own stuff to illustrate writing techniques her...more
But I'd still recommend this for the older, more advanced beginning writer. Being a fan of Oliver's poetry doesn't automatically make this book a good read. From what I recall, she doesn't use a lot of her own stuff to illustrate writing techniques her...more
I've said elsewhere that I was frightened of poetry. After having finished writing two novels, I was ready to go back to the basics: language and imagery. I could not have stumbled upon a better book to get my head out of the windy tomes of long-form fiction, and learn that poetry is friendly. While the book treats the craft at a beginner's level that was sometimes skim-inducing, I found it pleasurable to relearn all the old lessons in the light of a new form.
The book is slender, eleg...more
The book is slender, eleg...more
I think there are lessons in life that I'm ready to absorb now that I couldn't 10 or 15 years ago. One of them is the role of craft & structure -- the formalities & technicalities -- in poetry. I've owned this book for quite a while, but this read is the first time that it resonated in a useful way.
Not that this book is overly formal, but it touches on scansion, which I've always had trouble with, and some of the other traditional aspects of poetry. It used to be that the stress symb...more
Not that this book is overly formal, but it touches on scansion, which I've always had trouble with, and some of the other traditional aspects of poetry. It used to be that the stress symb...more
This is the poetry writer's bible. Not only is the content absolutely comprehensive and presented in a simple and beautifully organized manner, but it's written by a true poet. And it shows in her writing. This is a book on poetry written poetically. If you want to learn to write poetry or improve your poetry, pick up this book first, then read others if you feel you need to. But you'll find you keep going back to this one. I sometimes pick this book up just to read something beautiful, to be in...more
Do you love to read poetry but struggle to write your own? This book is your answer. I had to read this for a class and I am glad I did because Mary Oliver does a very good job teaching everything you need to know about poetry. She covers everything- from the sound and diction of a word, length and rhythm, the form (whether free verse or not), and imagery. She even discusses tools to help you when revising your work. Everything about poetry is in this book, definitely a must have for poets.
The best little book on poetry I've come across. Oliver is a master of beautiful, unshowy simplicity. This book covers the basics of poetry, including sound, diction, tone, meter, rhyme, and imagery, and it explains in clear terms why each component is important, and says at least a thing or two about how to do it "right" (well?) and "wrong" (poorly?). Oliver incorporates good examples and useful quotations. The book is true pleasure: wise, measured, clear.
An essential and short guide for beginning readers and writers of poetry. Although subtitled "a prose guide to understanding and writing poetry" it seems to be more suited to beginning writers. There are much more interesting and thorough guides to understanding and appreciating poetry. But Oliver clearly describes and defines terminology, forms, etc. I'll be going back to this again and again.
An excellent book about the mechanics of poetry - rhyme patterns, meters, stress, word choice, rhythms, and the like. I love poetry and thanks to this book I've learned that I most frequently write in iambic tetrameter with true rhymes. =)
The only chapters that I didn't like were about the modern forms of poetry, but these can be by-passed.
The only chapters that I didn't like were about the modern forms of poetry, but these can be by-passed.
For anyone who ever asked, what is poetry? or how does a poem happen?, this is the book to read. I read this because I loved her work, and I was happy to learn that clearly she had thought deeply into these questions herself, coming up with a readable pedagogy for the student poet or companionable reinforcement for the longtime practitioner.
Deceptively short, Mary Oliver's Poetry Handbook contains just about everything really necessary for reading, writing and enjoying poetry. While there are much more complete introductions on all of the subjects she covers, her descriptions give just enough detail to instill the desire to try out their message. Though compact, there is not a single wasted word.
If you're looking to learn from someone who understands how trite yet important the discussion and writing of poetry is, look no further than this book. Oliver understands the intricacies and history of verse. This handbook made me the poet I am today, and I refer to it often. Simple, concise, and perfect for beginners.
A thin, clearly written volume that, in the right hands, could spark some excellent class discussions, and/or provide a small foothold of shared understanding to build on in lecture. Difficult to excerpt from, in my experience, which is probably an indication of its integrity.
I mainly write free verse, but this book was still quite useful. I was most interested in the section about free verse and the length and turns of line. This book had some good advice and should certainly get you thinking about your own poetry and how you can improve it.
Oliver's book is an excellent book on craft for the beginning poet, and a tidy review for more experienced writers. It is also a helpful book for people who enjoy reading poetry and would like a better understanding of what they are reading. It is clearly written with easy to understand examples.
The copy I read is a first ed. with much the same data; but, only 130 pp. "A Harvest Original" pub. Harcourt, Inc.
A clear exposition of useful material. It is written so well that it is a joy to read.
A clear exposition of useful material. It is written so well that it is a joy to read.
Pretty good. A little basic, though the last four chapters were so good that I had to take notes in my poetry journal. Oliver's advice regarding meter and diction is pithy and useful.
Even if you don't write poetry, Oliver's straightforward discussion helps you better understand poetry, and thus heighten your sensitivity to language as a whole.
I learned that being regular about your writing habits helps the muse know when to show up. . . among other things. This is a very friendly instruction book.
Mary Oliver is the quinessential poet and nature lover. Her words have wonderful imagery and metaphorically connect me to the environment and beyond.
Re-reading while working on my manuscript.
/ First read April 3-8, 2004. Borrowed copy from the library.
Read again on May 10-15, 2009.
/ First read April 3-8, 2004. Borrowed copy from the library.
Read again on May 10-15, 2009.
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“Mary Oliver. In a region that has produced most of the nation's poet laureates, it is risky to single out one fragile 71-year-old bard of Provincetown. But Mary Oliver, who won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry in 1983, is my choice for her joyous, accessible, intim...more
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“Mary Oliver. In a region that has produced most of the nation's poet laureates, it is risky to single out one fragile 71-year-old bard of Provincetown. But Mary Oliver, who won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry in 1983, is my choice for her joyous, accessible, intim...more
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“The poet must not only write the poem but must scrutinize the world intensely, or anyway that part of the world he or she has taken for subject. If the poem is thin, it is likely so not because the poet does not know enough words, but because he or she has not stood long enough among the flowers--has not seen them in any fresh, exciting, and valid way.”
—
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