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The Art and Craft of Poetry
Designed to teach the craft of writing poetry, this volume discusses the different types of poems, detailing the steps in writing each type, and includes examples of poems by such masters as Milton, Poe, Shakespeare, Rossetti, and Eliot.
339 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 4, 2008
I'm using this book as a daily writing discipline. Each chapter gives a series of assignments for 3 levels of poets. I'm starting out with level one. Completing the assignments will produce 10-15 poems. Then I can go through it again, do level 2, and then again with level 3, and I'll have two more sets of poems. Maybe. My goal isn't to be a poet, I just think the discipline of writing poetry will make me a better writer. In any case, this is a thorough, well-executed and organized volume by a great prof.
January 23, 2008
Michael J. Bugeja, The Art and Craft of Poetry (Writer's Digest, 1994)
Bugeja gets the first Gentleman's C I have ever given a book. I didn't even make the fifty-page mark with this turkey, quitting twenty-seven pages in, because Bugeja broke the cardinal rule of poetry in a flagrant and offensive way; while discussing a poem he uses as an example, he writes, "...but none of this is important; the only thing that is is what was in [the author]'s head at the time." This is, as any poet half worth his salt knows, not only untrue, but offensive in the extreme. If this is the kind of thing which poetry 101 classes are being fed today, it's no wonder the world is so crammed with people who write bad poetry (one rejects the idea of calling them poets).
So why am I giving it the Gentleman's C? Well, because judging from the earlier writings here, when Bugeja isn't flaunting the idea that reader interpretation is meaningless and unimportant, he does have a few things to say worth reading. Also, the book can double as an anthology of poetry stretching from Shakespeare to modern times, and it has some value in that regard. As a teaching tool, though, readers are advised to stay far away until they fully understand that reader interpretation is not only valid, but as valid as author interpretation, of any poem, so as not to be poisoned by such irresponsible statements on the author's part. ** ½
Bugeja gets the first Gentleman's C I have ever given a book. I didn't even make the fifty-page mark with this turkey, quitting twenty-seven pages in, because Bugeja broke the cardinal rule of poetry in a flagrant and offensive way; while discussing a poem he uses as an example, he writes, "...but none of this is important; the only thing that is is what was in [the author]'s head at the time." This is, as any poet half worth his salt knows, not only untrue, but offensive in the extreme. If this is the kind of thing which poetry 101 classes are being fed today, it's no wonder the world is so crammed with people who write bad poetry (one rejects the idea of calling them poets).
So why am I giving it the Gentleman's C? Well, because judging from the earlier writings here, when Bugeja isn't flaunting the idea that reader interpretation is meaningless and unimportant, he does have a few things to say worth reading. Also, the book can double as an anthology of poetry stretching from Shakespeare to modern times, and it has some value in that regard. As a teaching tool, though, readers are advised to stay far away until they fully understand that reader interpretation is not only valid, but as valid as author interpretation, of any poem, so as not to be poisoned by such irresponsible statements on the author's part. ** ½
December 11, 2009
I did find this book useful - especially because I like to write poetry, but have not had a formal class on it. This book does have three levels of exercises at the end of each chapter and the chapters themselves have some useful information for novice poets like me... although poets with more formal poetry educations may get bored with it... which I didn't.
August 21, 2024
This is a review of the 1994 paperback edition by Writer's Digest Books, which has a cover similar to the 2001 edition.
For a while, I thought I was a poet. I wasn't. Trust me. But this book was a pleasant enough read, containing not only a "how to write poetry" text, but a mini- poetry anthology. You get introduced to many different styles of poetry -- even those your English teachers have never heard of. I had some fun trying out the various forms, like the villanelle.
There's nothing in this book about how to get published, but I wasn't looking for that here, anyway.
You will never make money writing poetry. Even Charles Bukowski couldn't make a living off of poetry alone. Writing poetry can be fun, and can be a good mental exercise for writers, or would-be writers. Songwriters need to learn poetry to write anything vital. Wiccan and Pagans may want to learn how to write poetry to help in their spells.
The narrative here is not as engaging as Stephen Fry's book on poetry, but the exercises are more practical.
For a while, I thought I was a poet. I wasn't. Trust me. But this book was a pleasant enough read, containing not only a "how to write poetry" text, but a mini- poetry anthology. You get introduced to many different styles of poetry -- even those your English teachers have never heard of. I had some fun trying out the various forms, like the villanelle.
There's nothing in this book about how to get published, but I wasn't looking for that here, anyway.
You will never make money writing poetry. Even Charles Bukowski couldn't make a living off of poetry alone. Writing poetry can be fun, and can be a good mental exercise for writers, or would-be writers. Songwriters need to learn poetry to write anything vital. Wiccan and Pagans may want to learn how to write poetry to help in their spells.
The narrative here is not as engaging as Stephen Fry's book on poetry, but the exercises are more practical.
August 1, 2019
This book probably has something for everyone. His highly analytical, journalistic approach is understandable as Bugeja has a background in journalism. Making endless classifications and lists of my own experiences, so as to have things to write about, isn't really my style. In a chapter on love poetry, he goes through nearly a dozen types of love poetry that are in themselves good starting points or ideas for poems, but what he wants you to do is make lists of the high and low points in all your relationships first so that you'll have material. I actually got a lot of ideas out of this book, but not by following his exercises.
March 20, 2023
If you’re the kind of poet (or want to be) who engineers poems like IKEA projects, you will love this book. Bugeja’s method of preplanning every word and line doesn’t work for me, but there is still much to be gained from The Art and Craft of Poetry. The author looks at different types of poems, both in subject matter and form, and offers hundreds of examples, along with step-by-step instructions for writing your own. This book being nearly 30 years old, it is dated in technology, styles, and poets he cites. Intended as a textbook, it’s a slow read to be taken a little bit at a time, but it’s worth it if only for the poems shared here.
December 21, 2019
I put this book down after several chapters, feeling a little angry (and half tempted to toss it in the wood stove). For me it was far too prescriptive and self-referential (i.e., the poet talking much about his own journey). I found the example poems Mr. Bugeja used not at all inspiring. I have an MFA in writing (fiction) and have published poetry. I would not recommend this book to anyone with a similar background. I'm giving it three stars because I can imagine it being useful to some beginners, and I did appreciate Mr. Bugeja's discussion of finding subjects for poems.
May 2, 2023
An excellent book for beginning poets and poets with some experience who are not students of poetry.
Although I did not agree with everything he said, Mr. Bugeja presented an informative book and exposed the reader to plenty of new poetry. Most importantly he provides a lot of guidance.
Still, I have not found an author on poetry who can get me excited about learning meter. Not his fault. Mine.
If you want to write poetry or challenge yourself to write different poetry than you have been writing, this is a great guide book.
Although I did not agree with everything he said, Mr. Bugeja presented an informative book and exposed the reader to plenty of new poetry. Most importantly he provides a lot of guidance.
Still, I have not found an author on poetry who can get me excited about learning meter. Not his fault. Mine.
If you want to write poetry or challenge yourself to write different poetry than you have been writing, this is a great guide book.
March 8, 2018
Excellent book for getting started. Everything is explained well and lots of examples are given. Very educational but not overly academic.
May 25, 2019
It was okay. It has a lot of good information but it didn't feel like it taught me anything I didn't particularly know.
December 22, 2019
Good resource to get you started in poetry, but exercises were a bit much.
May 13, 2017
I may have to purchase this as a reference. It is a great intro to poetry without getting stuck in the ancient origins and Italian sonnet schemes. I think I may finally be getting the idea of modern poetry, even if I do not enjoy it. My goal is to craft prose with the beautiful rhythms of poetry. Poets often write the best prose sentences!
Examples: Ursula Le Guin, writer of my childhood, and Margaret Atwood, a new favorite. Their sentences blow me away! Even if one doesn't participate in their politics, one can admire the beautiful simplicity of their work.
Examples: Ursula Le Guin, writer of my childhood, and Margaret Atwood, a new favorite. Their sentences blow me away! Even if one doesn't participate in their politics, one can admire the beautiful simplicity of their work.
February 26, 2009
Except for some interesting remarks in his chapter on lines, I would have given this book the dreaded one star. I'm not sure this book would even be good for a beginning poet, as limited as Bugeja's presentation of "types" is, but it certainly isn't for anyone who has any sustained interest in writing poetry.
May 11, 2021
Good book for those interested in analyzing the structure and process of crafting a poem. I found it too regimented for me, but Bugeja does provide great examples and techniques that may helpful for beginning poets. The structured approach is a great place to start (you need to learn the rules before you can break them).
February 6, 2008
'Didn't find it helpful, but it's an okay introduction to some aspects of the craft of poetry, albeit a bit boring.
January 20, 2012
It changed my life.
March 31, 2015
Really enjoyed this as an overview of the spectrum of poetry. Broadened my ability to appreciate a lot more poetry. I may or may not have attempted to write some after reading this book.
January 1, 2009
Amazing how to book for beginner and advanced alike
March 16, 2016
Excellent book for anyone interested in learning how to write poetry
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews