The Poetry Dictionary [Hardcover]

John Drury (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1884910041 | ISBN-13: 978-1884910043 | Publication Date: September 15, 1995

This compendium of definitions, thorough descriptions and examples of poetry clarifys the rich and complex language of poetry writing.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

John Drury's Poetry Dictionary is no dreary list of defined terms to cram for your poetry final. It's a work of art in itself, written in Drury's engagingly lucid prose, liberally spiced with examples from the world's best poets. Curious about sequence? Drury gives a clear definition of the term, followed by Katha Pollitt's "Vegetable Poems" in sequence 1-5. Forgotten the rules of the villanelle? Drury explains the form, gives a little historic background, and presents examples by Jean Passerat, Edwin Arlington Robinson, Dylan Thomas, Weldon Kees, and James Cummins. Never has a poetry dictionary been so browsable, so erudite, and so engaging. --Stephanie Gold

About the Author

John Drury is a professor of English and creative writing. His poems have appeared in many reviews and publications. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Story Press (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884910041
• ISBN-13: 978-1884910043
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,405,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book, must have for poets, poetry readers, November 1, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Poetry Dictionary (Hardcover)

An invaluable aid to anyone interested in reading or writing poetry. Arranged alphabetically, as you would suspect, the book covers forms, poetic movements, the elements of poetry, and rhetorical devices. My highest recommendation. A continuing source of information and inspiration.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encourages While Educating Poets, June 13, 2006

By 

FictionAddiction.NET - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poetry Dictionary (Paperback)

From Abecedarium (a poem arranged according to the alphabet) to Word (the basic unit of the sentence) The Poetry Dictionary takes us on a journey of discovery.

Along the way we encounter such familiar terms as Poem, Carol and Muse and unfamiliar terms like Drottkvaett (an Old Norse stanzaic form) and Synecdoche (a figure of speech in which a part of something indicates the whole). We find old standards penned by the likes of William Shakespeare and Robert Browning but also see lesser-known verse by Woodrow Wilson and Agha Shahid Ali.

Such a book cannot, however, be created by a single man. The acknowledgments make it clear that many individuals contribute to the dictionary. Even Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Lord Byron pitch in, providing translations for Francois Villon's "The Ballad of Dead Ladies" and Dante Alighieri's "Francesca of Rimini" respectively.

Throughout the dictionary, related terms are grouped into major entries and subordinate terms are placed within larger entries. Terms that appear elsewhere as individual entries are proceeded by asterisks, creating a web of connections that shows how the elements of poetry are intertwined.

Each entry provides a pronunciation guide and a definition in the first paragraph. Additional paragraphs give more information.

Many entries contain one or more model poems that illustrate poetic forms or devices. Most of the examples are whole poems, but some are excerpts from longer works.

The Poetry Dictionary may be read as a guide to the practice and history of verse or as an annotated anthology of model poems.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential!, June 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Poetry Dictionary (Hardcover)

If you are a professional, aspiring or amateur poet, this book is a must have. Part anthology, part dictionary, part encyclopedia, it provides indespensible and clear advice. There is inspiration on practically every page!