Reviews

An Introduction to English Poetry by James Fenton

raloveridge's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a really great, flexible text—I'm pairing it with [b:An Exaltation of Forms|661551|An Exaltation of Forms Contemporary Poets Celebrate the Diversity of Their Art|Kathrine Lore Varnes|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176865829s/661551.jpg|647622] in the fall for a forms-based workshop and I'm glad that it doesn't go terribly into depth. The book does an excellent job of introducing formal ideas and offering the range of possibility they have, without marching students through 40-page chapters of scansion. (Also? A really nice revisiting for me, too!)

sidtf's review against another edition

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challenging informative medium-paced

3.75

mugren's review against another edition

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3.0

A good reference book of the forms and tools of poetry

alldebooks's review against another edition

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3.0

I do have a complete phobia when it comes to reading poetry and thought this might help me understand poetry better. However I did struggle with it. It is informative but I think it's more appropriate with a basic understanding of poetry.
Saying that I did enjoy it and gained from reading it, I would recommend it to someone with a passion for poetry.

yeoman_chloe's review

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medium-paced

4.0

kevinjfellows's review

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3.0

Very pompous and takes itself so seriously it's no longer a serious book on form. Stick with Fry's Ode Less Travelled.
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