A Poetry Handbook

A Prose Guide to Understanding and Writing Poetry

By: Mary Oliver

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

“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, legendary poet, the ultimate guide to writing and understanding poetry.

With passion and wit, Mary Oliver skillfully imparts expertise from her long, celebrated career as a disguised poet. 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 handbook is an invaluable glimpse into Oliver’s prolific mind—a must-have for all poetry-lovers.

Terribly read and advice lacks freshness and insight

I love the poetry of Mary Oliver. Yet this book lays out the techniques of poetry in only the most straightforward and ordinary way. The work feels uninspired and ordinary. The reader tries to infuse the work with passion, making what was ordinary prose feel shrill and stretched.

Wonderful enlightenment in poetry

Nothing to dislike but to love about this book. A must for anyone who wants to learn the craft

Advice to up your poetry game from a master

Mary Oliver’s poetry, by itself, deserves to be studied. And her poetry manual is a boon for any poet, especially those who are relatively new to the art. With grace, wit, and insightfulness, she offers a medium dive into what poetry and poetic forms are, and how to

Guidance for any writer!

I uploaded this impulsively on the mistaken idea it was actually a Mary Oliver poetry volume. How Provident! As a writer of manuals and meeting minutes, I was delighted to learn and enjoy through this instructive and inspirational work. Well worth a look!

I learned some things

I am not sure exactly what I was expecting when I bought this book. I enjoyed it very much. To be honest though, to really absorb all it has to offer I would need to listen to it several more times.