Jailbreaks: 99 Canadian Sonnets

by Zachariah Wells (Editor)

In 1910 Lawrence J. Burpee published an anthology of 100 Canadian Sonnets. Poet and critic Zachariah Wells figured it was high time for an update on that dusty tome. In Jailbreaks, Wells has gathered 99 of his favourite sonnets written by Canadians, from the 19th century to the present day.

Genres: Poetry

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2008

Reviews

[Dessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great collection of sonnets, and you know I love a sonnet. The intro talks about how the sonnet can become surprising and flexible in the right hands, and some of these poems really go for it in surprising and delightful ways. However: Detracted a full star for including a Duncan Campbell Scott poem about an indigenous woman because COME ON, and detracted another star for the venomous hate that filled my heart when I read “Young Girls” by Raymond Souster. For a book supposedly filled with “jailbreak”… some pretty ugly and outdated viewpoints sneaking in here. But hey I guess that’s Canada! I’ll add back half a star for the editor’s appendix of notes on each poem, which more anthologies should do, so all in all: great collection.

[Goral · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't really get poetry but im trying

[Leisha Wharfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dig the sonnet in all its glory: elevated, denigrated, applied to every question and problem, heavy or light. Celebrate its endless variations, & revel in the words "Bolshevik Tennis!"

[Tim Nason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very dry reading indeed. My wife and I added this to our nightly poetry read-aloud and couldn't wait to finish it and get it out of the house.