The Poet and the Donkey: A Novel [Paperback]

May Sarton (Author), Stefan Martin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1996

"A small, sophisticated, elegantly sentimental journey through a New Hampshire village summer. Our companions are an aging poet, who is sad because he can no longer write—he has lost the joy he used to have in simply being alive–and a young, mischievous female donkey, who is sad because she can't run and play—she has a touch of arthritis. . . . There is a moral, of course, but any moral looks dull next to the simple happiness of the old poet and his long-eared muse."—The New Yorker

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

May Sarton (1912-1995) was an acclaimed poet, novelist, and memoirist.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (September 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393315533
• ISBN-13: 978-0393315530
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

May Sarton is the pen name of Eleanore Marie Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995), an American poet, novelist, and memoirist. Her parents were science historian George Sarton and his wife, the English artist Mabel Eleanor Elwes. In 1915, her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts. She went to school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started theatre lessons in her late teens. In 1945 she met her partner for the next thirteen years, Judy Matlack, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They separated in 1956, when Sarton's father died and Sarton moved to Nelson, New Hampshire. Honey in the Hive (1988) is about their relationship. Sarton later moved to York, Maine. She died of breast cancer on July 16, 1995. She is buried in Nelson, New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for his muse, September 12, 2000

By 

Mya Martin-Glenn (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Poet and the Donkey: A Novel (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book about a poet who had lost his muse and then finds her once again in the form of a donkey. Not only does he find his muse but he learns things about himself along the way. This is a short, sweet read that is funny and thought provoking as it glides along.

5.0 out of 5 stars calvin, September 18, 2011

By 

calvin - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Poet and the Donkey: A Novel (Paperback)

This is the most charming book- a great birthday present for someone who loves book and stories and life! A must read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect gift, June 9, 2009

By 

Judith Paley (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Poet and the Donkey: A Novel (Paperback)

From what I've read of May Sarton's journals, I believe this story is more than a little autobiographical. And what a wonderful story it is; it's the perfect gift for someone whose spirits need a lift when a card's not enough but flowers aren't saying what's in your heart. Enjoy, and share the warmth--I've already mailed my copy off to a friend.