If you only ever read one book on poetry..... make it this one
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'Stephen Fry' is a pretty reliable brand: he writes stylishly, performs wonderfully, and usually combines wit, wisdom and knowledge in a unique package. I had some doubts that he could work his magic on what is essentially a teaching text about the form and structure of verse - but I should have trusted.
His enthusiasm for poetry shines through every page, and he sverves so swiftly and deftly from exposition to wit to analysis to exercise to opinionated rant to respectful homage, and to much else, that I found myself almost cheering his honesty, directness and clarity. He is a wonderful populariser who manages to mark his teaching with his own personality and yet respects the sources of his knowledge. The exercises are fun and truly helpful (he really understands that we learn best by doing), and the analysis he offers is wonderfully wide-ranging. It takes a certain kind of genius and cheek to productively compare Hopkins, Hardy and McGonagall's 'The Tay Bridge Disaster' within a few pages, but Fry manages it. He also cheekily, but effectively, does much of his teaching by writing samples and explanations in verse.
Just occasionally Fry "luxuriates in the exuberance of his own verbosity" (as apparently Disraeli did) and goes on a fraction too much. His forward is ten pages long and basically tells us that poetry deserves its own 'how to' book. But these moments are rare and others may think them part of his charm. Also, although the book has an excellent glossary and a proper reading list, I would have welcomed an index - this little primer is good enough to continue using as a reference work. It has certainly persuaded me to return to poetry books that have been gathering dust.
And it really should be on the reading list of every would-be English Literature student! Fry can slip from the sublime to the vulgar and back again with an ease which makes him a most endearing teacher.
When you buy it, make sure you also purchase a new notebook, some pencils and a rubber. Fry's homework is hard to resist.
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Excellent book
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I bought this book because I love Stephen Fry's writing, not specifically to learn about poetry. Working my way through it has been a wonderful experience. It is written in a style that feels like a personal tutorial, and the concepts (especially the section on metre) are explained very clearly and with humour. I have been pleasantly surprised at how my writing has developed by doing the exercises, and my appreciation of poetry has deepened. Along with his many other talents, Stephen Fry is a gifted teacher on this subject and I have definitely benefitted by taking this journey with him. I would recommend this book to anyone.
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Unlock those demons
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We all have poetic license, although for many of us, it remains locked. Stephen Fry will effortlessly guide you through the stages of truly understanding the technical forms of poetry, so that you will be able to understand and possibly write (if you wish to) your own verse. This book is hardly an academic's source - but it should be, and in my opinion is more a more pleasing read than several other, dense 'Poetry Handbooks'.
I am not yet halfway through the book, but I already feel that I can wholeheartedly recommend this title.
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Educational and Entertaining :-)
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This book reminds me very much of Bill Bryson's "A Short History Of Nearly Everything".
It is both educational and entertaining, making for a highly enjoyable read...and if you also actively participate by doing the exercises, you will find yourself learning more about poetry than you would have thought possible.
It is a crushing shame that poetry is not taught this way in schools, because (as Fry has clearly demonstrated) there is absolutely no need for it to seem so dull and unfathomable.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about poetry and dispel the fog of ignorance that surrounds this subject.
All that remains is to thank the author for taking the time to share his knowledge on such a neglected and misunderstood subject - well done Stephen! :-)
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entertaining and at times wise
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According to a review by "regular customer", this book "is insulting to contemporary poets, whose writing he calls, quote: 'arse dribble'". In fact the poem referred to as 'arse dribble' is a parodic concoction by Fry himself, knocked off in a few minutes to exemplify the worst features of the worst kind of contemporary poetry. Fry isn't totally dismissive of avant-guard poetry, and his book makes respectful reference to Eliot, Pound, Stevens, cummings and others. It is entertaining and at times wise, and open-minded poets and readers will find it worth looking into.
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