What Oliver manages to do is speak to both the experienced and just-initiated poets. While Ive been writing poetry since grade school, I wouldnt truly consider my poet as before reading this book, the most I could tell you about a sonnet was that it rhymed and the most about a haiku is that you had to write it in a certain amount of syllables. Olivers book is quite an inspiration to get the creative juices following and is quite a manual on the process. Dont get me wrong, Oliver takes care of explaining the technical aspect of the poets craft, but her book was more of a creative matchbox than a classbook.
Mary Olivers poetry itself can do some teaching on its own, but we can be grateful shes chosen to articulate the writing process so richly in this book. The book will almost certainly will wring some writing out of you; it will also inspire you to examine your work habits and technique. Olivers intelligence shines through, and will make you a better reader of poetry. Small note on the previous review: Mary Oliver does, indeed, teach, at Bennington College currently. If you cant enroll there, this book is your next best choice.
I did not like this book. I thought it was too technical. Ms.Oliver stresses the structure of the poem too much. I know this is important but still it was hard for me to understand. This book is difinitely for an advanced student. Rosario
