I read this book for #15 of #26bookswithbringingupburns: 'a book of poems'.

I have basically never read poetry for fun before. Especially not a whole book by one author. Anyway, I picked this because I enjoyed Mark Haddon's novels The Curious Incident and A Spot of Bother. From that I could deduce what his poetry might be like, and I was right: bloody random.

It was quite surreal and many pieces on first reading seemed to make little to no sense, but after re-reading you can sortof see what he is alluding to. Maybe this is just me not being used to reading poetry, however.

There were a few I liked; Miaow and Woof, Days, and the note from the censorship board. I can't say however that this has converted me into a poetry lover. Better luck next time, Mark Haddon!

Published only because of his success with Curious Incident, not because of its own merits, which are few.

Worth reading for his poetic retelling of The House of the Four Winds by John Buchan

I'm not a poetry expert. Quite the opposite, actually. Most often, I stick to my world of novels and don't branch out much but on a whim I chose this book (mostly because of it's cover, actually. I'm a horribly firm believer in covers). It was intensely enjoyable for me and, though I'm not convinced on his ability to form a complete poem, there were moments, beautiful, expansive, intimate moments that inspired me greatly.

For this I would read it again and try to climb into it a bit more.

I liked this book, first time I'd read it, none of the poems immediately joined the list of my favourites, but a fun read.

- poems by the author of "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time"
- riffs on classic authors are mixed with quirky, eccentric, pleasant poems
- not bad

the title is way cooler than the poems...

love his versions of Horace's Odes

Meh. It was nothing spectacular. Maybe I'm reading it wrong? Maybe you are supposed to enjoy poetry in small bites, meant to be savoured slowly over time? I have enjoyed poetry in the past where the words elicit a deep, almost painful response. This collection didn't do it for me.

I'm disappointed.

The language is beautiful, but what is clad inside it is cryptic or banal or inaccessible.

"This is how we leave the world,
with the heart weeping,
and the hope that distance
brings the solving wonder
of one last clear view
before that long sleep
above the weather's changes."

I read a review of this by someone who hated it who also seemed to think that all poetry should rhyme.

I prefer my poetry not to rhyme and while I appreciate poetic angst as much as the next female reader I'm also always grateful for a bit of sardonic distance, and there were a couple of pieces here that were beauties.