This just wasn't for me. I prefer books where I like the characters and despite keeping at it, I never did. Her other books I enjoyed so its a one off. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

General premise: A 20-year-old landscaper -Carla- with dyslexia learns to appreciate poetry after befriending a famous poet -Viridrian-, makes friends with more older poets in V's inner circle & grapples with her mediocre partner Aaron, as well as the rest of her life converging with this new world

Quotations I enjoyed:
“Sometimes things come to you, it seems like out of the blue. But your brain’s been working on the problem all along you realize later, some underpaid-file-clerk portion of your brain, taking notes and writing reports.”

“She’d given a part of herself up for live, and the whole long rest of her life was an effort to get it back.”

“It didn’t seem fair that men could be celebrated for their misbehavior, indulged, and made famous, where a woman would have been dismissed, diminished, labeled weak or hysterical.”

"Could you ever be in love without being somehow diminished?"

"Do you know how hard it is for a woman to be selfish?"

Thoughts:
I wanted to like this, but I think I just should not have requested it. Maybe it's not my genre. I felt like many of the characters were two-dimensional and flat. It wasn't that I didn't relate to them (I fully recognize not every book is about *me* lol I don't need to center myself). However, I just couldn't find any depth to them besides the main character Carla. Viridrian was interesting and I think maybe I'd read a book about her? But almost everyone else was just so boring, bland or frustrating.

I know no one is perfect but Aaron was absolute garbage. I think it's okay to leave people after they mess up, even if they are on a path to "do better." It's okay to wish them well and know they aren't good for you or meant for you. We do not have to remain besties with every person on this earth. Idk, I'm just hung up on the end and it left a really sour taste in my mouth.

Anyway, maybe this is for die-hard poetry girlies but it wasn't for me. It was also a great lesson for me, as I won't be requesting books similar to this anymore lol.

DNF @ 10%. I've always wanted to read Jean Thompson, but I don't want this to be my introduction. The story just isn't compelling to me and I don't feel connected to the characters.

First, I want to say thank you to @algonquinbooks for sending me this ARC. The book is on sale today July 12!

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a nice and easy read. The writing style was amazing. However, there were a few hiccups. The first, and probably most major, was pretty early on into the book; the author used gross and offensive language. The part I am talking about specifically compared one of the characters to a "r****d child". I want to be completely honest in this review, and that alone made me almost stop reading the book. I feel like that could have been completely taken out and not one difference would've been made to the impact of the scene. Even if it was just reworded. That was really the only offensive spot I found, and that language and term wasn't used elsewhere, thankfully.

Now, onto the rest of the book. Clara is a woman in her early 20's who still doesn't quite know what she wants with her life. While she is working as a landscaper she meets a group of people who are poets and finds herself learning all about that world. She faces lots of decision making and we see her find herself throughout the book.

This book takes us through the world of poets, known and not, and the "politics" of that world itself. We feel as though we are Clara, at least I did since I am also not a writer, and how weird it can be trying to join and do something new in your life.

I loved the side characters more than Clara though, I will admit. Oscar especially holds a light in my heart. He just seemed so genuine and unapologetically him.

*A few spoilers below*

I did enjoy Clara as the main character, even if she was pretty annoying at times. We see her figure herself out, however, we don't necessarily see her grow. By the end of the book, I feel as if we are left with the same exact character, just in a new career. The way she got back together with Aaron after what he did annoy me. In fact, that whole Aaron fiasco was horrible. The fact that everyone was telling her she needed to get back with him was insane to me.

Still recommend to pick up as I read through it in 3 days!

A quiet, extremely well-written literary fiction effort from an author who is new to me, but has been around for a long time. The book is about Carla, a young landscape artist who gets caught up in the dramatic world of poetry in Northern California. It is so fun watching her fall in love with the art, but become entwined and often replaced by the artists. It's a big of a coming of age, but not in a straightforward sense. It has a mystery, and fun characters, and you will get lost in the prose.

Well, I found myself skimming this book for much of the story. What started out as a book that intrigued me with a woman that was kind of lost in life, finding a group of people she was fascinated with and wanted to spend more time with turned into a story that I didn't know what purpose it had.

Carla is a landscaper who is invited into the home/hangout of a crew of poets, known and not as known and she forms a connection with an elder poet named Veridian. They open her eyes to another way of life and how she sees her relationship with her boyfriend, Aaron. There is a little mystery surrounding this group of writers and another poet that is always in the background and that is the part that held my interest. I'm always interested to see into the life of writers being written into the story. I really enjoyed that aspect of it, but unfortunately the story itself didn't hold my interest for much of it. It fell flat, but the characters had a lot of potential. The writing was also a little simplistic for a story about poets. The poetry may have been my favorite parts of it, but there just wasn't enough.

Overall, a story of a group of poets and a young woman looking to find herself had a lot of potential, but fell short for my taste.

I had a hard time getting into this novel but once I did, I loved the inside look at poets' processes and what is it about poetry that can smack us right in the solar plexus.

Carla is a fairly interesting character, a landscaper whose family feels she should be doing "something more." Anything having to do with the written word gives her trouble, but when she hears someone reciting a poem while she's doing a job, she is knocked off her feet. She is drawn into the world of Viridian, a poet in her 70's, where she is encouraged, embraced, and challenged by members of this circle.

Jean Thompson's writing is lovely, but Carla is so static and a strange character to build a book around. Everyone else crackles with energy (although many in a stereotypical Marin County manner) but Carla goes through the motions in a. deer-in-the headlights way. I would definitely pick up another book by Jean Thompson because of her style, but would hope for a more energized plot.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy a story about writers and this story of writers, some overly dramatic was entertaining.
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Carla is let into an inner circle of poets when she was invited to work for Viridian, a lovely aging poet. Carla finds herself engrossed in their stories and their shared history. This group lived and died by the words ok a page and in times of darkness the words helped find their way, especially Carla as she tried to navigate what she wants to do in life.
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Thank you #algonquin and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one, it was an incredible lit fic summer read. The characters were relatable and well fleshed out, the pacing was steady, and the prose was insightful and beautiful, yet simple. The one things is that at times I felt it could have gone further in the message it was trying to convey.

Carla is a landscaper in her twenties feeling like she has no direction in life. A landscaping job introduces her to Viridian, a lovely and mysterious woman who turns out to be a legendary poet. Carla is drawn to Viridian’s garden, retreat and the world of writers and poets: a cast of effervescent characters who are hilarious, human and vulnerable. During this transformative period in her life, Carla discovers the power and sheer beauty of language. At its core, The Poet’s House is a comforting coming-of-age story full of humor and heart. It’s the perfect, feel-good summer read.

I requested The Poet's House for background reading for a First Impressions Program booked by Travis. The book scored a very positive 4.4-star average among our member-reviewers, so in addition to the three weeks' of promotion connected with the First Impressions Program, we are also featuring it as "Today's Top Pick" recommendation across BookBrowse for at least a week.from Wed 17 Aug.

Review:https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/hy286720/the-poets-house#reviews
Beyond the Book:https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/btb/index.cfm/ref/hy286720/the-poets-house#btb

I was pretty disappointed in this book. It didn't grab me like it should have and took too long to get into. A good chunk of it could have been cut as well. A landscaper who becomes enamoured with a houses' owner who happens to be a poet. Not sure where she fits in, Carla, the landscaper becomes involved in the life and times of writers in California. Very predictable.
A special thank you for the advanced readers copy from Algonquin book for an honest review.

Carla is a twentylandscaper who has felt constrained and discounted by her learning differences. When she starts working for a well-known poet, Viridian, she is not only drawn into her circle of artistic friends, she discovers she has a great appreciation for poetry. Her boyfriend, though, is not as thrilled with Carla's new interests and friends.

Viridian has also been defined by her relationship with Mathias, known as a brilliant but troubled poet. But was there more to the relationship than people realized?

During this fateful summer, Carla's life is upended by her new friends, but to her own surprise, she has as much influence on them as they do on her. It's hard to compartmentalize the genre of this novel, but I loved it. I thought it started a little slow, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. One of my favorite books this year. #ThePoetsHouse #NetGalley

This book truly has everything! Love, humor, mystery, and so much more! I really think that poets and writers will hold it in a special place of their heart. It is an unusual book written with great sensitivity. I highly recommend it.

A light yet deep novel about finding oneself through the power of words.

Carla is a young women trying to find her place in the world. Working as a landscaper, she becomes involved with a well known poet and the group of writers surrounding her. Although suffering from dyslexia, Carla finds that listening to poetry being read speaks to her and she begins to realize what she has been missing. Carla ends up working with some of the people in the writers group and struggles to understand both them and herself.

Carla is a well developed character who rings true and her story is a rich and enjoyable one.

At 21 years old, Carla is stuck working for a landscaper. A learning disability prevents her from pursuing further education, she thinks. She has a boyfriend Aaron whom she loves. But her mom pressures her to find more fulfilling work and pits her against an older sister.
One day, Carla starts a job at the home of aging poet Viridian. A handful of characters pop in and out of the house, and Carla finds herself growing attached to the people she meets and to their poetry. Yet she remains on the outside looking in. And that might be a good thing as she learns more about herself and life.
I enjoyed the poetry in this book. There's not much of it, leaving plenty of room for the novel. But what's included is powerful and touching.
And I appreciate that the author reminds readers to discern for themselves what type of poetry they enjoy. This genre is open to interpretation and up to individual readers to decide what they like.
I also liked the theme of self-reliance. Sure, we can depend on others and nurture professional networks, social friendships and intimate relationships. But in general, Viridian and Carla learn how to live for themselves rather than rely on a man to provide their income, identity, purpose, and life path.
While this book isn't lyrical, it is relaxing. I found myself settling in and feeling comforted as I read.
There's not quite a happy ending, which I like. Also, the author resolves the various story lines, which is satisfying.
One thing I didn't like is that despite the lack of income, all the characters seem to live with no regard for income restrictions. That's not realistic for most readers.
Triggers include suicide, mental health, sexual content, physical violence, mental and emotional abuse, and medical trauma.
Favorite quotes:
"Poetry is breath and bread changed into words."
"Could you ever be in love without being somehow diminished?"
Thank you to Algonquin for the advance copy and the opportunity to review The Poet's House. I want to live there one day!

The Poet's House by Jean Thompson is a coming of age story. The main character Carla is introduced to her own potential. This story takes a while to settle into. Ultimately, the fact that art - especially art with words - is the vehicle for Carla's growth of course resonates with this reader. I believe in the power of words to alter lives, and this book personifies that.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2022/07/the-poets-house.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

The premise of this book sounded great and I loved the idea of a summer read about poets. However, the level of the writing and the actual story didn't live up to the jacket copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read an e-galley, but will not add this title to my creative writing classes.

I’ve never read anything by Jean Thompson before and after finishing this book, I intend to rectify that. Thompson’s writing is so good, so sure, that although you just wanted to read a few pages before bed, you’re all of a sudden looking at the clock and it says 2AM and oh no tomorrow morning is gonna be rough. Read this book. Carla is a very endearing hero who I loved getting to know. I will think about her and this book for a long while.

21-year-old landscaper and lost Californian Carla is pulled into a world of poets, dinner parties, and literary conferences by a new client- Viridian, a poetry legend whose reading deeply moves Carla.

Carla has never been a reader. An unnamed learning difference has kept her from enjoying literature. But Viridian loans Carla books, reads to her, and connects her to important people in the literary world. Most importantly, Viridian pushes Carla to develop her own personhood. Who is she? What does she like? Viridian is a would-be mother figure to Carla, until glimpses of Viridian’s mythical past complicate Carla’s feelings. A son comes forward, and a past relationship with a volatile, iconic poet whose mysterious final work Viridian is rumored to have, somewhere in that house.

This book considers artists- their motivations, their communities, their gender politics, and how they age. It considers these things through the lens of a non-artist, an appreciator. It’s easy to identify with Carla. Surrounded by artists, she feels stupid, like she couldn’t possibly know anything worth saying. Her shame keeps her on the outskirts at times, running away from the possibility of being seen as provincial even when encouraged to engage.

The book is beautifully atmospheric. Viridian’s house and the poet collective that buzzes around it are warm and comforting. The lackadaisical plot makes for some drag in the middle, but I didn’t mind. I wanted to hang at the edge of the dinner party, when-glass in hand, and just listen.