No Place Like Home: Poems

by Jane Holloway (Editor)

Poets from around the world celebrate the universal appeal of the comforts of home in this unique anthology.


Whether inhabited or remembered, whether solitary or teeming with family, whether a refuge from the world or a connection to a community, home is essential to the self. The poems in this anthology invite us into urban apartments and cozy cottages, stately mansions and hermits' huts. We watch a medieval housewife explain how she has spent her day; we join with Robert Herrick as he gives thanks for his "humble roof . . . weatherproof"; we peep in on Amy Lowell in the bath and John Donne in his bed, and join Joy Harjo at the kitchen table.

Home can mean many things: from Horace's rural farm to Billy Collins's favorite armchair, from Milton's "blissful bower" in Paradise to Imtiaz Dharker's "Living Space" in the slums of Mumbai. Mary Oliver imagines her dream house, Emily Dickinson dwells in possibility--a fairer House than Prose, and a wide range of displaced poets long for their home countries: Ovid, Joachim du Bellay, Kapka Kassabova, Mahmoud Darwish, and even Jules Supervielle feeling "Homesick for the Earth." Wherever you happen to dwell or whatever your idea of domestic bliss, you are sure to find visions that resonate in Poems of Home.

Genres: Poetry

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2022

Reviews

[Melisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this collection. I have a new affinity for sweet, accessible poetry that reflects the stage of life I’m in. 2nd poetry book I’ve read on Home and I’ll be returning. 🏡

[Nic Rowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly only skimmed it, but sort of baffled by the organization and some of the selections.

[Merel · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each journey it gets
Worse
What kind of learning is that
When that is what we are born for

And harder and harder to find
What is hanging on
To what
All day it has been raining
And I have been writing letters
The pearl curtains

stroking the headlands
under immense dark clouds
the valley sighing with rain
everyone home and quiet

what will become of all these
things that I see
that are here and are me
and I am none of them
what will become
of the bench and the teapot
the pencils and the kerosene lamps
all the books all the writing
the green of the leaves
what becomes of the house
and the island
and the sound of your footstep

who knows it is here
who says it will stay
who says I will know it
who said it would be all right

W. S. MERWIN (1927-2019)

Very nice collection, felt like some poems were in the wrong category or formatted quite weirdly but that's okay

[Gemma Laurence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darling little collection of poems perfect for cozying up and reading before bed. Poems about longing for home, homecoming, setting up a home, families, removals, vacant possession, and more. Found this little gem at The Strand a couple of weeks before I tested positive for Covid, and it's proven to be the perfect quarantine read. I'm a collector of Everyman's Pocket Poets, and this is one of my personal favorites. A great variety, from Joy Harjo to Anne Sexton, Catullus to John Donne. Would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys curling up at home with a nice cuppa tea and a book of poetry.

[Sarah Dunmire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great collection; one of my favorites of the series so far. I liked a good percentages of poems in here. Great variety of male/female poets, more modern selections than some others in the series but that’s great. Also a good amount of culture variety. Love the topic and enjoyed the poems very much.

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the diversity of selections from familiar American and English poets to translations from all over the world as well as poems from ancient Rome and other ancient civilizations. So many poets I was unfamiliar with. A lovely anthology.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
A nice collection with quite a few lovely poems and lots of themes within the "home" theme.

[dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyman's Library never misses. Found some new favourites in this collection.

[Nelson]

date finished estimated

[Jack Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy anthology.

[Ashley : bostieslovebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good variety of poets from a vast time period. Some of the organization felt confusing.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big fan of the poetry collections made by Everyman’s Library, I am always delighted to get my hands on one of them.

No place like home was way more multifaceted than I thought it would be, grasping various aspects which turn out quite thought-provoking. There’s so much one can do in an anthology but I deeply enjoyed the journey taken by this book - despite my apprehension of the section entitled “A woman’s place” which turned out more nuanced and critical than I had imagined.