I love poetry, but I haven’t read much of it in recent years. Paper Boat by Margaret Atwood is a phenomenal anthology, chronicling her poetic metamorphosis—from her earliest works to the present. The style and themes of the poems are incredibly varied, as one would expect. Atwood is perhaps most known for The Handmaid’s Tale, which I read years ago, and I was not previously familiar with her poetry. I really enjoyed the collection as a whole, although admittedly, there are always a handful of poems that will fall short in every anthology.

This isn’t a book to be read in one sitting, but rather a collection to be enjoyed at one’s leisure, soaking in the verses a few at a time, in order to appreciate her creativity and imagination. I will revisit my favorites over the years, much like I have with Mary Oliver and T.S. Eliot’s poetry.

Thank you Knopf for providing me a ARC through NetGalley.

I've enjoyed Margaret Atwood's poems since I was young. I'm so glad to have access to a collection of them across her career. Sharp, thoughtful, and insightful poetry.

This was poetry but not in standard form. I enjoyed some of the writing style but really didn't find myself getting into the book itself.

I read this quickly, even though it is a large collection of poems, at first. I later slowly came back to it, to attempt to delve into and dissect the words Atwood has crafted. I found as I so often do with Atwood's writing and poetry in general, that some of the poems resonate and some don't. This work is a large collection of selected and new poems, and if you enjoy poetry or Atwood's writing in general you should pick this one up. I have given a few copies as gifts for birthdays and various celebrations all to pretty stellar reviews.

Margaret Atwood is a treasure, and her poetry is just as sharp and insightful as her novels. We are so lucky to have her.

Few writers achieve the literary gravitas of Margaret Atwood. Known widely for her fiction, particularly "The Handmaid’s Tale," her poetry has long been a vital part of her oeuvre, though it often feels like a quiet undercurrent compared to the tidal wave of her prose. With "Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems, 1961–2023," Atwood offers a career-spanning anthology that invites readers into her lyrical world—a world that is by turns eerie, poignant, witty, and hauntingly resonant.

At 624 pages, "Paper Boat" is nothing short of monumental. The anthology compiles works from across six decades, beginning with Atwood’s first chapbook, "Double Persephone" (1961), and ending with previously uncollected poems from 2023. Organized chronologically, the collection provides an intimate view of Atwood’s evolution as a poet, from her early, tightly formal works to her later, freer and more introspective creations.

This structure isn’t just chronological—it’s biographical. Readers can trace Atwood’s changing concerns and preoccupations as she navigates themes of mythology, nature, feminism, grief, and mortality. There is a sense of conversation between poems separated by decades, as they reflect on the bizarre, often brutal beauty of the world.

Content-wise, Atwood’s poetry is an exploration of contrasts. She marries vivid, tactile imagery with abstract reflection, weaving mythological figures alongside animals, landscapes, and ordinary people. One of her most famous pieces, the devastatingly concise "you fit into me," demonstrates her ability to layer starkness with unsettling emotional depth:

you fit into me
like a hook into an eye

a fish hook
an open eye

Such poems linger in the mind, sharp and unforgettable. They’re emblematic of Atwood’s ability to encapsulate vast emotional worlds in just a few lines.

While her language is often conversational, Atwood’s poetry is not always easy. She demands engagement, asking readers to embrace ambiguity and lean into her imaginative leaps. This can be disorienting for those accustomed to more straightforward or Instagram-friendly verse. Yet, for those willing to grapple with her work, the rewards are immense.

Many poems in "Paper Boat" are quietly devastating, offering glimpses of grief, aging, and the fragility of human connection. Yet Atwood balances this darkness with humor and wit, often pulling readers back from the brink with a clever turn of phrase or a winking observation.

This book cements Margaret Atwood’s legacy as a poet of immense skill and imagination. It’s not merely a collection of poems—it’s a record of a life devoted to observing, questioning, and capturing the essence of what it means to be human. Whether you dip into it occasionally or immerse yourself fully, "Paper Boat" promises to leave a lasting impression.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Paper Boat; New and Selected Poems 1961-2023
by Margaret Atwood (2024)

This 624 page poetry collection contains six decades of Margaret Atwood’s poetry from her lifetime of writing. Like her fiction, Atwood’s poetry it is beautiful and powerful, and at times eerie, dark and haunting. Atwood gives voice to not only humans, but also animals and nature, and even mythological beasts in her very distinct style. I found it fascinating to follow her progression as a writer, and was at times left breathless by the strength of her words.

My favorite of her poems:

“you fit into me
like a hook into an eye

a fish hook
an open eye”

I would definitely recommend this collection for poetry lovers and fans of Atwood’s novels.

Thank you @netgalley and @aknopf for the eARC.

Atwood's poetry heals something in me. And then break me again. An astounding collection of moving poems.

Margaret Atwood has always been one of my favorite poets, and this collection is very welcome if not overdue. I'm old enough to remember having to hunt down print copies of her poetry books online and in used bookstores, so having such a comprehensive selection of her work--even if some of my (usually more obscure) favorites didn't make it in, which is the nature of such volumes--in both print and ebook is such a gift.

This collection of poetry is a delight, like other work I’ve read of Atwood’s.

I don’t know that I can give any criticism for anything I’ve read of hers because even if the story isn't exactly for me, her writing and delivery are compelling.

She’s clever and sometimes subtle in how she approaches modern issues. Then again, she also has an uncanny ability to punch you right in the face with her words which make you question yourself and everything around you.

You can keep you flannels and pumpkin spice. A true harbinger of fall is Margaret Atwood reading me her poetry.

This is a huge undertaking for the read and best enjoyed in snippets. With tea.

I am a huge fan of Atwood's fiction, so when I saw this on NetGalley I jumped. I should preface this by saying that I try to be an educated poetry reader, but alas, I am not. Every Friday I look forward to reading Washington Post book reviewer Ron Charles' inspiring and enthusiastic newsletter, and I appreciate that he highlights a new work of poetry in each of these. Sometimes I fly through them, many times I stumble, but I am always in awe of what a poet can do with a simple turn of phrase, a verse, a page. Atwood does not disappoint in this "best of" collection. I found myself in turns amazed, engrossed, and yes, sometimes, bewildered. I appreciated that later, in the acknowledgements, Atwood thanked her high school English teacher who figured her poetry must be good because she didn't understand it. There's a lot to be said for that feeling. I loved so many of these poems, bookmarked the ones I liked best to come back to again. Atwood is an undisputed genius, and, while I cannot claim to always understand her, I remain her devoted reader.

In "Paper Boat," Margaret Atwood crafts a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the fragility of human connection. The narrative follows a central character navigating the complexities of her past and present, reflecting on the moments that shape her identity.

I just love Atwood's lyrical prose and her ability to evoke deep emotional resonance. The imagery of paper boats serves as a powerful metaphor for the delicate nature of relationships and the journeys we undertake. Atwood's trademark blend of wit and wisdom shines through, making even the most introspective moments engaging and thought-provoking.

The pacing may be deemed uneven at some points, with certain sections feeling more contemplative than action-driven. Yet, this introspection is often seen as a strength, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's inner world.

Overall, "Paper Boat" is lauded as a beautifully written meditation on life’s transient nature. Atwood’s deft handling of complex themes and her rich, evocative language make this a must-read for fans of literary fiction, reinforcing her status as one of the foremost voices in contemporary literature.

Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems, 1961-2023 is a wonderful collection of Margaret Atwood's poetry. This is a big book (624) and the amount of poetry included is almost overwhelming! The poetic language is straightforward and but the imagery is rich, Highly recommended for anyone who loves poetry!

It pains me to say this, but unfortunately, this poetry collection is a DNF for me. While I think Margaret Atwood is a terrific writer and her poetry itself is well-written, it simply isn’t my preferred style when reading poetry. Atwood leans much more into descriptive aspects in her poetry versus raw relatability and I personally gravitate more towards vulnerable poetic writing that I can relate to.

Others will—and absolutely should—love this career-spanning collection of Atwood’s poetry.

Thank you to Margaret Atwood, Knopf, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Collections like these are always hard to full given an idea about in review because it spans such an incredible career. Not only does this collection, as some people have already said in reviews, explore mythology, but there is a deeper thread through this collection than even that. There are poems about Persephone, moody poems about the parts and haunts of a house, feminism/womanhood, and connections to the body and nature. More than anything, what’s impressive about a collection this long is the thread that runs through it – cycles of life. There are also several turns like in the poem “this is a photograph of me” that are haunting and you won’t see coming .

I enjoy some of these poems. They really incited emotions from me. However, I think this collection is just too long. I wished it had been split into two volume. I found by the middle I was bored and wishing it over. Overall, I enjoyed this collection.

While I love everything Margaret Atwood writes, her poetry has a special place in my heart. I always find it to be deeply meaningful and impactful, while still be so so smart.

Yesterday Penguin published Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems: 1961-2023 by Margaret Atwood. This generous—624 pages!—book begins with Double Persephone, a 1961 chapbook by the then little-known Atwood. Famous, of course, for her novel The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll find the same feminist mythmaking in the course of her poetry career. There are three “Previously Uncollected” sections of new poems which will enchant Atwood’s poetry fans. The final of the three of these sections contains the title poem and gives a call to poetry’s necessary reach. And Paper Boat contains her classics like this:

[you fit into me]

you fit into me
like a hook into an eye

a fish hook
an open eye

Congratulations, Margaret!

Margaret Atwood delivers a poetic collection of her most important works. from 1961-2023 in one volume. Behold the beauty of mythological creatures and everyday folks through the brilliance of her writing abilities.