The Discovery of Poetry: A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems

Publishers Weekly

Best known as the author of Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany and other memoirs of life in the Italian province, Frances Mayes until recently chaired of San Francisco State's creative writing department, and has published five books of poems. The Discovery of Poetry: A Field Guide to Reading and Writing Poems is the product of all her reading and writing experiences, with chapters on "Meter," "Rhyme and Repetition," "Subject and Style," covering all the bases with plenty of canonical exemplars. (Nov.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

KLIATT

Frances Mayes is the author of five poetry collections and former Chair of the Creative Writing Department at San Francisco State University. Her love of language and her skill as a teacher of writing are both abundantly evident in this beautifully written guide to the reading and writing of poetry. Mayes touches the usual bases as she explores in depth the essential nature of poetry. Her insightful discussions of imagery, voice, poetic devices, form, and style are generously illustrated with well-chosen examples of poetry from the ancient to the contemporary. Sprinkled throughout the chapters are intriguing "In Your Notebook" features, which suggest written activities that readers may attempt to enhance their appreciation of the poet's art. The final chapter, entitled "The Poet's Handbook," is chockablock with practical exercises to help the would-be poet unleash his or her own muse. Even those young readers who are less interested in learning how poetry works than in getting their own ideas down on paper will find this chapter to be of immense value. While Mayes's rich prose style may sometimes seem a bit intimidating to less sophisticated younger YAs, this is a book that will be treasured by anyone who aspires to a more profound understanding of how to read and write poetry. KLIATT Codes: JSA—Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2001, Harcourt, 494p. index.,
— Jeffrey Cooper

Library Journal

Most readers know Mayes as the best-selling author of Under the Tuscan Sun, but she is also the author of five books of poetry and a former creative writing instructor. In this guide to reading and writing verse, Mayes's goal is to illustrate that poetry is accessible and fun rather than intimidating. Discussing rhyme, free verse, choice of subject, and style, she explains, in plain language, how poetry works. To prove her point, she includes hundreds of examples of poetry from different time periods. The chapter on interpretation, including a student's sample essay, may be helpful to students who are usually mortified by assignments that require an interpretation of a poem. The final chapter is a short lesson on poetry writing. Writing exercises, highlighted by the phrase "In Your Notebook," appear throughout and can be used for ideas and to jog the memory. A well-written book with good examples and solid advice, this manual will be appreciated in public and academic libraries alike.-Lisa J. Cihlar, Monroe P.L., WI