Reviews

The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry, by Kim Addonizio, Dorianne Laux

angelajuniper's review against another edition

A book for lovers of poetry, The Poet’s Companion caters for aspiring writers who wish to improve their craft and understand the genre at an advanced level. Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux have taken great care in sectioning individual chapters that let the reader dissect verse and understand a poem’s mechanics. The novice or experienced poet is gently encouraged to experiment with rhythm and word choice and to proactively investigate what constitutes a successful piece.

The authors use clear language and a kind approach to be frank about publishing expectations. Discussion of themes should spark inspiration but, if the instructional chapters fail, the final third holds a series of exercises so that the preceding intricacies can be put into working practice.

I felt that stronger diversity amongst the referenced poets could have taken the learning further and given the book a more universal appeal. But as a writer who naturally gravitates toward poetry, The Poets Companion has deepened my grasp on verse and on what makes a successful poem.

Highly recommended to anyone who loves reading or writing poetry, or to those who are curious about the how’s and whys of its impact.

4 Stars.

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rensreading's review against another edition

3.0

read it for my poetry class as required reading. it was fine, but not very helpful.

nikolirma's review against another edition

2.0

This book should be subtitled: How to Ruin the Pleasures of Writing Poetry (aka Making Mistakes is WRONG). Honestly - if you need to be told WHAT to write about and HOW to do it, you should not be writing poetry. I understand that there are people who believe creative writing can be taught as anything else, but... - I have to disagree with all those who are buying books "how to write" thinking "I will become Tolstoy". Let me give you an example explaining why I'm against teaching poetry: I cannot be taught Maths no matter what method you use because I simply am not talented for Maths. I believe that if you do not have talent for writing, there is not much you can do about it. Yes - you can learn how to write stuff mechanically, that can be taught, but this has nothing to do with creativity. On the other hand I do believe that creativity can be sparked, that if you have the right teacher - or rather the right mentor - you can make progress, you can discover other ways of writing and thinking, but that is something else. What the authors in this particular book do is not mentoring and sparking someone's imagination, but (at least throughout the first two parts) prescriptively ordering how to write and how not to write. Thus, they claim that in creative writing - and namely in writing poetry - there are limitations and rules we need to acknowledge and follow if we are to become poets. Restrictions in poetry? Nonsense! Telling me that I MUST try every point of view in my writing and that, let me quote, "a poem is a work of imagination, not your autobiography" (ok - so all those poets who were/are writing about stuff that was happening in their lives apparently misunderstood what is poetry about)? I honestly wanted to grab the book and throw it through the window (and I am usually very calm when it comes to books - even if I do not like the subject matter). But what is even worse: the authors do not only tell you all those unshakable truths about poetry, they also contradict themselves later on. While in the first chapter they are all lovey dovey about how poetry is about imagination and our life and there are no rules (rules? unbelievable!); in the second chapter they begin to throw at you what you MUST and MUSTN'T (or at least SHOULDN'T - as if there was a difference, still someone is prescribing you what to do). So - what made me read the whole thing and still mark some interesting passages and calm down? The third part called "the writing life". Frankly, dear authors should have written a book only on the writing life - their tone in this part of the book is light, funny, perfectly encouraging and soothing. It makes you stay positive even though it makes you also realize that being a poet can suck from time to time; it makes you understand that your poetry matters; and it taps you on the back saying "just write, write, write!". This, ladies and gentlemen, is the right thing a poet's companion should do - mentor you and encourage, not restrict and teach, because writing poetry simply cannot be taught. And for this and only this chapter I am glad I bought the book.

m_figg's review against another edition

5.0

A terrific book to use for beginning poetry classes. The chapters on craft are especially strong, and the book is worth it for the sheer volume of prompts at the end of each chapter. I am often thanked by students years later after I assigned this book; a keeper.

jamread2021's review against another edition

4.0

This is a great reference book, one to come back to again and again.

natalierosselli's review against another edition

Used for a poetry workshop. I learned some stuff and the prompts are great

sleavens's review against another edition

5.0

WHERE HAS THIS BOOK BEEN ALL MY LIFE?

Simple, straightforward, covers a variety of essential topics with well-chosen example poems, and includes multiple writing prompts and an appendix for other book recommendations. Stellar.

alexandrap529's review against another edition

2.0

It's an excellent guide to poetry writing. I found the prompts very helpful for the times when writer's block struck. Many of the ideas discussed in the book expanded on information I had been given in my creative writing courses.

raandoga's review

4.0

I've assigned this as the text for the Intro to Poetry Writing class I'm teaching this spring, and I have to say, I really, really like it. The tone is approachable but serious, and ask students to take themselves seriously. The chapter on the role of technology is laughably outdated, though--would love to see an updated edition!