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 expertise on the poet's craft from her long, celebrated career. She walks readers through exactly how a poem is built, from meter and rhyme, to form and diction, to sound and sense, drawing on poems by Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, and others. This essential poetry handbook is an invaluable glimpse into Oliver's prolific mind--a must-have for all poetry-lovers and students of creative writing.

Written for aspiring poets and devoted readers alike, this concise guide illuminates the thoughtful machinery of the poem:

A Guide for Writers: An invaluable glimpse into a master poet's mind, offering practical advice on everything from finding your voice to the art of revision.Understanding Meter: Go beyond basic scansion as Oliver demystifies the music of the line, from iambic pentameter to the powerful variations that create rhythm and flow.The Power of Imagery: Learn how to move beyond simple description and use figurative language to create authentic, memorable poems with real texture.Exploring Free Verse: Master the subtleties of the modern poem, with clear guidance on how to build structure and design even without the constraints of traditional form.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0156724006
• ISBN13: 9780156724005
• Release Date: August 1994
• Publisher: Ecco Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.8"
• 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.

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