Reviews

The Book by Mary Ruefle

Only show reviews with written explanations

dstrand12's review

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

mandimsadler's review

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced

2.0

deadnettle's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

i loved Ruefle’s madness rack & honey—ruefle on writing is my favorite. this is slightly more underwhelming—i’m never quite stirred by a seasoned poet super comfortable in their craft when it comes to their actual poetry. this was good, just not jaw-dropping mostly. i loved the suicidal clown one.

mundane_archivist's review

Go to review page

fast-paced

3.75

shiloniz's review

Go to review page

5.0

"I had a friend I loved for twenty-five years, and then the earth opened between us, and now we have not spoken in twenty-five years. But nearly every week I dream of her, so there is this sense, for me at least, that we still know and love each other, but only late at night, behind closed eyes."

leighwitz's review

Go to review page

5.0

This is almost my favorite from Mary Ruefle, second to My Private Property. I was delighted to find her essay on friendship, which I heard her read at a poetry festival a few years ago. The essay brought tears to me eyes and I felt frozen in my seat. After the reading, I thanked her and she apologized, in the same blunt tone she writes with, for not offering poetry.