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simplymary's review
5.0
I was a little turned off by the title, because typically these kind of collections seem cheesy. But this book was a paradigm-shifter for me. The poems chosen are brilliant, and the collection served as a window introducing me to the world of Mary Oliver, Stanley Kunitz, David Whyte, and others. I was enthralled by Roger Housden's explanation and personal interpretation of each poem, and followed his encouragement to read each one many times, aloud, silent, sit with the phrases...and then found my own interpretation of them as well. Those which touched me most profoundly were:
"Throw Yourself Like Seed" by Miguel de Unamuno
"The Layers" by Stanely Kunitz
"The God Abandons Antony" by C.F. Cavafy
"Throw Yourself Like Seed" by Miguel de Unamuno
"The Layers" by Stanely Kunitz
"The God Abandons Antony" by C.F. Cavafy
janedallaway's review
5.0
The first of the “ten poems to” books I’ve read. I found it on the shelf at my library and decided I’d give it a go. I’m a bit intimidated by poetry. In a similar way to how I’m intimidated by cryptic crosswords. A fear of “Am I smart enough?” I guess. Anyway, that’s about me not the book, but gives context. I enjoyed this poem and essay approach. Illustrating points by introducing other poems. Describing interpretations. As other reviews have said it’s unlikely that all ten poems will resonate but I certainly found two or three. For my own notes they were:
Self-portrait by David Whyte
Lake and Maple by Jane Hirshfield
So much happiness by Naomi Shibab Nye
Self-portrait by David Whyte
Lake and Maple by Jane Hirshfield
So much happiness by Naomi Shibab Nye
bookswooned's review
5.0
If I had to choose a series of books as my all time favorite, it would be Roger Housden's Ten Poems to....
I've discovered my all time favorite poet (Naomi Shihab Nye) because of these books! He chooses the most exquisite, sublime, challenging and inspiring poetry, and his commentaries are superb, analysis that truely gets into the marrow of a poem. This is the perfect series, the perfect gift - boxed set of Roger Housden's Ten Poems... will be life-changing (and I don't use that word lightly.)
LOVE IT.
I've discovered my all time favorite poet (Naomi Shihab Nye) because of these books! He chooses the most exquisite, sublime, challenging and inspiring poetry, and his commentaries are superb, analysis that truely gets into the marrow of a poem. This is the perfect series, the perfect gift - boxed set of Roger Housden's Ten Poems... will be life-changing (and I don't use that word lightly.)
LOVE IT.
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