Member Reviews

Such an amazing and interesting concept and it works so well and I really enjoyed the whole thing! I will say at the beginning I was a bit disheartened to find that each technique,, form etc wasn’t explained literally but as examples for each one. As someone who knows nothing at all about poetry I would’ve liked at least a sentence or two for each one. Overall still very enjoyable and well written!

Was this review helpful?

This review has been made possible thanks to NetGalley and Yale University Publishing for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the way this book demonstrates different parts of a poem as a poem itself. I feel that Newlyn did an excellent job in showing and not telling, and this could definitely be used as a poetry bible for past, present and future creative writing students. This would be the most useful poetry anthology, almost a bible. I am expecting many to have tags flying out from all sides.

I look forward to picking up a physical copy!

Was this review helpful?

This book blew my mind away. It is so articulate, so demonstrative and yet so wonderfully warm that i think every school library must have a dozen of these and every child who loves writing poems should receive this on Christmas (or Eid or Diwali)

What a wonderful job! I'm looking forward to more from the writer in hopes that they will find ways of absolutely blowing my mind again.

P.S. I know, oh-so-nerdy and deliciously so!

Was this review helpful?

I love the concept of this collection of nature poetry. This book actually teaches you to read poetry as you go through the poems. There are groupings with titles like foundations, techniques, and form. While it does help to have some understanding of the headings before you get started, I think you really can learn from this collection no matter your poetry background. The poetry is also enjoyable even if you have no interest in learning the techniques.

Was this review helpful?

I chose The Craft of Poetry mostly looking to learn a little more about poetry in order to make my reading of it a bit more informed. I did not, however, expect that I would enjoy reading this as much as I did.

It's such a novel and unique way to learn and really allows the user to learn from experience rather than just fact. I have found poetry to be impenetrable in the past and this not only informed me on the craft but did it in such an accessible and digestible format. I would really encourage using it in the classroom.

This book takes you by the hand and shows you the beauty of poetry instead of just professing it, and I would highly recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

An essential book on poetry, with many examples to whet your appetite. If you’re looking for a book to help you with your prose, this is it!

Was this review helpful?

I have to admit that I don't understand poetry. That's really weird because I have a MA in English Literature. But, I want to understand poetry so I undertook Lucy Newlyn book, The Craft of Poetry, to help me recognize what I didn't absorb in seven years of undergraduate and graduate work.

She shows us more forms of poetry than I ever knew existed. Each form is illustrated by one of her poems written in the style she's presenting. All the poems revolve around a beck, a local word for a stream. Even though I'm not much of a poetry reader, these are some lovely pastoral poems. They made me feel like I was walking or dreaming beside the beck and the surrounding countryside. Some poems are hopeful, some sad (lost lambs) some are funny. All are appealing.

I write short stories but I haven't tried writing poetry since high school. Yes, I avoided poetry classes in college. I can see me buying The Craft of Poetry as a reference book because I'll try my hand at poetry. Her examples are easier to understand than are some of the "how-to" poetry books out there.

Was this review helpful?

I felt like this was a little simplistic for the target audience, dumbing down concepts that anyone can understand if they wanted to, etc. But loved the cover and still enjoyed revising thee knowledge

Was this review helpful?

I really was expecting like explanation of poetry and poetic forms. But this is all written in poetry or verse and comes together really well.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this. Not what I was expecting at all, but I found it entertaining and educational.

This book would make a brilliant gift.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

What a delightful surprise! A book about reading and writing poetry written in verse! Genius! I decided to read this entire book out loud and even shared several of the poems with my children during our homeschool writing lessons. We all throughly enjoyed reading through this expertly crafted book. What better way to learn about the beat and flow of poetry than to write a poem about just that? Poetry is often meant to be enjoyed over and over again and I can see this being an excellent primer for budding writers everywhere. I hope to grab a print copy when it comes out. Wonderful work from the author Lucy Newlyn on a fanciful take on teaching by illustration.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks NetGalley!

Was this review helpful?

This is definitely an interesting concept. I wasn't expecting the entire book to be poetry. I thought it was going to be more educational with poetry interwoven, but this book uses poetry to explain different poetic forms and techniques. It's quite clever.

Was this review helpful?