Drawn Inward [Paperback]

Mike J Maguire (Author), Nick Montfort (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2003

Drawn Inward is a collection of poetry by Mike Maguire comprising four sections: Word Palindromes, in which the words of each poem run in the same sequence backwards as they do forwards; Charades, in which each poem is spelled the same as the one next to it; Palindromes, in which the letters of each poem run in the same sequence backwards as they do forwards; and Poems about Trains. The poems are beautiful, humorous, and transcendent. Arguably some of the most exquisite palindromes ever written in English find their place nestled among equally gorgeous poems written in less familiar forms, showing that, even with poetry, perfection is possible. Maguire's wildly successful formal experiments ensure the palindrome its rightful place as a poetic form.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Spineless Books is reviled to deliver this collection of formal poetry and ludic literature. Mike Maguire is one of the most important palindromists working in English today.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Drawn Inward

See fondness drown me.

Lost, solemn words send no fees.

Product Details

• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Spineless Books (December 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972424431
• ISBN-13: 978-0972424431
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,564,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 10, 2004

By 

Jon Anzalone (Huntington, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawn Inward (Paperback)

Among his myriad positive traits, Mike Maguire is a brilliant poet. I highly recommend this book of his work. It has several sections, including palindromes, redividers, and poems about trains. On the first read, you will be awed by his ability to manipulate words into coherent and lengthy palindromes - but this is no mere parlour trick. In addition to being palindromes, they are strikingly beautiful and meaningful and could just as well exist as works of art even without their wordplay.

After sitting around with some friends, the best we could come up with was "taco cat." Mike goes much further than this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome emosewa, January 11, 2008

By 

Chris - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawn Inward (Paperback)

It is easy to make a palindrome, it is harder to make a palindrome that actually makes sense. And the longer the palindrome, the harder it is for it to retain some modicum of consistency. But somehow Maguire is able to fashion long form poetry that you would never even realize was palindromic until someone told you.

And not only does Maguire do palindromes, but he has other sections of this book that have other types of contrained word poetry which are equally amazing.