A Theory of Everything by Mary Crockett Hill is the winner of the 2008 Autumn House Poetry Prize, selected by Naomi Shihab Nye.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A Theory of Everything is deeply original, magical, and WEIRD in a good way, as we used to say back in grade school. Some kinds of "weird" were desirable since they suggested potent originality, quirky insight, and startling but necessary twists of humor -- as in, when is the last time YOU considered a flea's memories or regrets? Mary Crockett Hill has made a significant, fabulously welcome contribution to the world of theories in general, and elegant poetry you will want to keep close by -- for the days when your own elements of existence don't fit neatly into compartments or jingle sweet harmonies in your ear. Here's a place where darkness lives comfortably, studded with breathtaking light. Like a mesmerizing sky. --Naomi Shihab Nye
About the Author
Mary Crockett Hill has worked as a factory slug, staggeringly bad waitress, incompetent secretary, the person who irons name tags in industrial uniforms, toilet-seat hand model, fundraising spy, freelance writer, history museum director, and college English teacher. Her first book, If You Return Home With Food, was a nominee for the Virginia Book of the Year in Poetry and the winner of the Bluestem Award. Mary Crockett Hill s poems have appeared in numerous magazines, as well as on Poetry Daily and in American Poetry: The Next Generation. She is a co-author of the history A Town by the Name of Salem and is currently working on a novel for young adults. Mary lives along the old Great Road in Virginia with her husband and children.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb!,
By
This review is from: A Theory of Everything (Perfect Paperback)
The title, chapters, and poems in A Theory of Everything resonate like a harmonic convergence of invisible strings that connect us and so gracefully tie this poetry together from beginning to end with an elegant cord. The structure enthralls and moves the reader insightfully from one poem to the next. Mary exposes the dangers that lurk in darkness but we emerge wiser into a good and kind world, a place worth living especially with Mary in it.
I'm not sure how you feel about gushing, but A Theory of Everything is the best book of poetry I have ever read. The way the editor showcases Mary's work is amazing. I have never read anything quite so effectively presented. Each poem flows into the next so magically. Every time I pick up the book, I read again completely. I cannot put it down.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for folks who think they don't like poetry,
This review is from: A Theory of Everything (Perfect Paperback)
This is a wonderful, cohesive book of poems, and the one called "For Stinky in the Rockies" is a particulary fine small masterpiece. So many of Hill's poems are funny, nutty, and serious, but they all share a kindness and sweetness that take your breath away. Make your fingers race across your keyboard and order this book for yourself and for all your friends!
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Oh the Dreadful" is my favorite poem in this book!,
By LVstruck "half poet/half panda" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Theory of Everything (Perfect Paperback)
Although it doesn't conquer everything (as no poetry book ever could!), A theory of everything left me feeling contently full like after a great meal involving spontaneous relatives that you don't see very often. Hill has a clever tone that borderlines sarcasm without leaving a bitter taste. She successfully finds humor in common oddities and her use of language is fascinating. "There's something inside that assures you heaven will contain everyone you love in a single lush landscape," a line from the poem "Wes" was one of my favorites. Hill ends the poem "Oh the Dreadful" with "Oh poem, kindly go away. Leave me and my paper alone." I thought those two lines justly described poet struggles. You know you have a great poet when you think to yourself..."I wish I'd wrote that!" I feel that way about many of Hill's lines and look forward to seeing more of her work!
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