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The Poet's House
A warm and witty story of a young woman who gets swept up in the rivalries and love affairs of a dramatic group of writers.
Carla is stuck. In her twenties and working for a landscaper, she’s been told she’s on the wrong path by everyone—from her mom, who wants her to work at the hospital, to her boyfriend, who is dropping not-so-subtle hints that she should be doing something that matters.
Then she is hired for a job at the home of Viridian, a lauded and lovely aging poet who introduces Carla to an eccentric circle of writers. At first she is perplexed by their predilection for reciting lines in conversation, the stories of their many liaisons, their endless wine-soaked nights. Soon, though, she becomes enamored with this entire world: with Viridian, whose reputation has been defined by her infamous affair with a male poet, Mathias; with Viridian’s circle; and especially with the power of words, the “ache and hunger that can both be awakened and soothed by a poem,” a hunger that Carla feels sharply. When a fight emerges over a vital cache of poems that Mathias wrote about Viridian, Carla gets drawn in. But how much will she sacrifice for a group that may or may not see her as one of their own?
A delightfully funny look at the art world—sometimes petty, sometimes transactional, sometimes transformative— The Poet’s House is also a refreshingly candid story of finding one’s way, with words as our lantern in the dark.
Carla is stuck. In her twenties and working for a landscaper, she’s been told she’s on the wrong path by everyone—from her mom, who wants her to work at the hospital, to her boyfriend, who is dropping not-so-subtle hints that she should be doing something that matters.
Then she is hired for a job at the home of Viridian, a lauded and lovely aging poet who introduces Carla to an eccentric circle of writers. At first she is perplexed by their predilection for reciting lines in conversation, the stories of their many liaisons, their endless wine-soaked nights. Soon, though, she becomes enamored with this entire world: with Viridian, whose reputation has been defined by her infamous affair with a male poet, Mathias; with Viridian’s circle; and especially with the power of words, the “ache and hunger that can both be awakened and soothed by a poem,” a hunger that Carla feels sharply. When a fight emerges over a vital cache of poems that Mathias wrote about Viridian, Carla gets drawn in. But how much will she sacrifice for a group that may or may not see her as one of their own?
A delightfully funny look at the art world—sometimes petty, sometimes transactional, sometimes transformative— The Poet’s House is also a refreshingly candid story of finding one’s way, with words as our lantern in the dark.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2022
82 people are currently reading
8997 people want to read
About the author
Jean Thompson
51 books286 followersJean Thompson is a New York Times bestselling author and her new novel,
The Humanity Project
will be published by Blue Rider Press on April 23, 2013.
Thompson is also the author of the novel The Year We Left Home, the acclaimed short fiction collections Do Not Deny Me, and Throw Like a Girl as well as the novel City Boy; the short story collection Who Do You Love, and she is a 1999 National Book Award finalist for fiction as well as and the novel Wide Blue Yonder, a New York Times Notable Book and Chicago Tribune Best Fiction selection for 2002.
Her short fiction has been published in many magazines and journals, including The New Yorker, and been anthologized in The Best American Short Stories and Pushcart Prize. Jean's work has been praised by Elle Magazine as "bracing and wildly intelligent writing that explores the nature of love in all its hidden and manifest dimensions."
Jean's other books include the short story collections The Gasoline Wars and Little Face, and the novels My Wisdom and The Woman Driver.
Jean has been the recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, among other accolades, and taught creative writing at the University of Illinois--Champaign/ Urbana, Reed College, Northwestern University, and many other colleges and universities.
Thompson is also the author of the novel The Year We Left Home, the acclaimed short fiction collections Do Not Deny Me, and Throw Like a Girl as well as the novel City Boy; the short story collection Who Do You Love, and she is a 1999 National Book Award finalist for fiction as well as and the novel Wide Blue Yonder, a New York Times Notable Book and Chicago Tribune Best Fiction selection for 2002.
Her short fiction has been published in many magazines and journals, including The New Yorker, and been anthologized in The Best American Short Stories and Pushcart Prize. Jean's work has been praised by Elle Magazine as "bracing and wildly intelligent writing that explores the nature of love in all its hidden and manifest dimensions."
Jean's other books include the short story collections The Gasoline Wars and Little Face, and the novels My Wisdom and The Woman Driver.
Jean has been the recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, among other accolades, and taught creative writing at the University of Illinois--Champaign/ Urbana, Reed College, Northwestern University, and many other colleges and universities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
August 27, 2022
"Poetry is breath and bread"---he leaned forward and snapped
his fingers like a magic trick--"changed into words."
So here we meet a young woman, Carla, a landscaper and a woman who has trouble with making sense of words on a written page. It is in her capacity as a landscaper that she meets Veridian a elderly poet often surrounded by many who make up this world of known and little known poets. Soon she enters a world that Carla finds both fascinating and elitist. This will change her focus and her life in unexpected ways There is a mystery surrounding missing poems and a secret in Veridian's life that adds a spark and a reason to keep reading.
I liked the characters well enough but what I enjoyed the most was the poetry and a look into this world. I haven't come across many fictional books in my reading that centers on poetry and poets as the theme.
his fingers like a magic trick--"changed into words."
So here we meet a young woman, Carla, a landscaper and a woman who has trouble with making sense of words on a written page. It is in her capacity as a landscaper that she meets Veridian a elderly poet often surrounded by many who make up this world of known and little known poets. Soon she enters a world that Carla finds both fascinating and elitist. This will change her focus and her life in unexpected ways There is a mystery surrounding missing poems and a secret in Veridian's life that adds a spark and a reason to keep reading.
I liked the characters well enough but what I enjoyed the most was the poetry and a look into this world. I haven't come across many fictional books in my reading that centers on poetry and poets as the theme.
June 12, 2022
Jean Thompson has a talent for creating characters who visibly mirror ourselves and the people who help shape our lives. This talent is well on display in POET’S HOUSE, a narrative of people grappling with early, middle, and late life decisions. Poets/writers have their art that they hold up as their core passion, but within their hearts, Thompson demonstrates that we all share similar desires to make our lives meaningful.
Twenty-one-year-old Carla is a landscape artist stuck in moving forward with a career path. A community college dropout, she is very bright, intelligent, but she’s wired differently. Reading comprehension is a challenge, because she doesn’t process words well (likely a form of dyslexia). But one day, while landscaping a famous poet’s house, she hears the poet, Viridian, recite a poem out loud, and bam!—Carla is captivated. A whole new world has opened up for her, and Viridian, the lovely, seventy-ish poet, befriends and wants to help her.
Carla’s love life generally seems centered, but her vague sense of the future periodically interferes with plans, even with steadfast Aaron, her boyfriend. In the meantime, Carla is compelled deeper into the world of poetry and poets. Viridian is a superstar in that esoteric world, and her poet friends flock around her to support, cling, or just be in her company.
Viridian had a past lover, Mathias, a poet who died many years ago. Apparently, he burned what was left of his poems, but everyone thinks that Viridian has secreted copies somewhere in her house, but nobody has ever been able to turn them up, and Viridian is mum. Even though she struggles financially, and the recovery of Mathias’ lost poems would earn her a windfall, she won’t budge. Her stubbornness is as enigmatic as her own past. She’s a tenacious feminist who insists on her own principles and resources.
Carla indulges in her poetry crush that began with the first of Viridian’s poems that touched her:
“I wanted to keep living this way, among people who talked about writing, sometimes frivolously, sometimes seriously, often both in the same conversation.”
POET’S HOUSE is compassionate, exploring the struggles of lives, family, health, habits, and individuality. Strip the surface of our skin and feel the keenness below. Peel away the words we speak and write, and honor the heart and humanity from where they came. “You write poems because you want to take hold of an aspect of experience and examine it, push it a little further, find out why it speaks to you. You want to speak back at it.”
Read and enjoy this comely story! 4.5 rounded up
Thank you to Book Browse’s First Impressions program for sending me an early copy for review.
Twenty-one-year-old Carla is a landscape artist stuck in moving forward with a career path. A community college dropout, she is very bright, intelligent, but she’s wired differently. Reading comprehension is a challenge, because she doesn’t process words well (likely a form of dyslexia). But one day, while landscaping a famous poet’s house, she hears the poet, Viridian, recite a poem out loud, and bam!—Carla is captivated. A whole new world has opened up for her, and Viridian, the lovely, seventy-ish poet, befriends and wants to help her.
Carla’s love life generally seems centered, but her vague sense of the future periodically interferes with plans, even with steadfast Aaron, her boyfriend. In the meantime, Carla is compelled deeper into the world of poetry and poets. Viridian is a superstar in that esoteric world, and her poet friends flock around her to support, cling, or just be in her company.
Viridian had a past lover, Mathias, a poet who died many years ago. Apparently, he burned what was left of his poems, but everyone thinks that Viridian has secreted copies somewhere in her house, but nobody has ever been able to turn them up, and Viridian is mum. Even though she struggles financially, and the recovery of Mathias’ lost poems would earn her a windfall, she won’t budge. Her stubbornness is as enigmatic as her own past. She’s a tenacious feminist who insists on her own principles and resources.
Carla indulges in her poetry crush that began with the first of Viridian’s poems that touched her:
“I wanted to keep living this way, among people who talked about writing, sometimes frivolously, sometimes seriously, often both in the same conversation.”
POET’S HOUSE is compassionate, exploring the struggles of lives, family, health, habits, and individuality. Strip the surface of our skin and feel the keenness below. Peel away the words we speak and write, and honor the heart and humanity from where they came. “You write poems because you want to take hold of an aspect of experience and examine it, push it a little further, find out why it speaks to you. You want to speak back at it.”
Read and enjoy this comely story! 4.5 rounded up
Thank you to Book Browse’s First Impressions program for sending me an early copy for review.
April 30, 2022
I found this book absolutely delicious. Carla, a young woman working as a landscaper, falls in with a famous poet, the one-named legend Viridian, and Viridian's coterie of po-biz friends--and finds herself transformed in the process. The delight of The Poet's House is Carla's voice: she's naive, a little low on fancy academic talk, but sharp and sassy and very observant. Thompson manages to get everything right about the egos and rivalries of poets, but this novel isn't a smug satire about poetic silliness. The real charm is that Carla is discovering the joy and power of poetry for the first time. This novel is a triumph.
March 6, 2023
I actually enjoyed this book until the last section. The protagonist, Clara, is a believable and relatable character. The events and scene settings are so true to life in Northern California. I know because I live there.
So what’s the problem? The ending feels hurried. After reading long and slow descriptions that did not advance the story or give us useable information (she walks into a forest, sits in a log in a clearing and sees a hawk staring at her), the last sections felt rushed as though the author wanted to get on with with something else.
Clara seems to have learned nothing from her new independent and intellectual friends. She returns to a boyfriend who is not likable and who discouraged her new curiosity and friends. Plus he wasn’t faithful! WTF. Nothing redeeming or learned in the end. That made the whole story a waste.
So what’s the problem? The ending feels hurried. After reading long and slow descriptions that did not advance the story or give us useable information (she walks into a forest, sits in a log in a clearing and sees a hawk staring at her), the last sections felt rushed as though the author wanted to get on with with something else.
Clara seems to have learned nothing from her new independent and intellectual friends. She returns to a boyfriend who is not likable and who discouraged her new curiosity and friends. Plus he wasn’t faithful! WTF. Nothing redeeming or learned in the end. That made the whole story a waste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
“I thought that poetry must be love, or maybe love was poetry.”
•••
This is a fun summer read about a young woman, who during a transitional phase of her life is swept up in the lives of artists. We watch her get more and more immersed in a circle of poets, discovering the beauty of written work and performative art.
I loved Viridian’s character and the welcoming yet mysterious aurora that she projects. Wish I could sit on her porch with her and a glass of lemonade while listening to her life stories.
The main settings, Viridian’s house, and the retreat were so summery and fun. The varying personalities of the cast, from Carla and Oscar to Boone and Gil, was array across the board that just made me laugh.
At times I found the plot a tad slow-moving but it eventually picked back up. The ending also left me feeling a bit let down, the MC, Carla’s, character arc felt like it was building up to something throughout and then just kinda fell flat (which wasn’t the case for other characters).
This book explores the weight of an artist’s legacy and what it means to be a member of the poetry community. It is a perfect summer read with some added twists and turns.
•••
Some of my favorite quotes that I highlighted while reading:
“I thought that poetry must be love, or maybe love was poetry.”
“You need to get over the idea of supposed to be. You need to develop your own standards, your likes, and dislikes. That’s part of critical thinking.”
“You think writing poems has something to do with talent? Not much at all. It has to do with pure, stubborn determination to keep doing it, to not be discouraged by the thousand things that are meant to discourage you. Nobody cares if you do it or not. No guarantees that anybody is going to read any of it.”
“How much was a legacy of poems worth anyway? Was it the exact weight of a short life subtracted from a long one, the difference in years?”
“I was thinking that maybe I liked poetry more than I liked poets.”
•••
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
•••
This is a fun summer read about a young woman, who during a transitional phase of her life is swept up in the lives of artists. We watch her get more and more immersed in a circle of poets, discovering the beauty of written work and performative art.
I loved Viridian’s character and the welcoming yet mysterious aurora that she projects. Wish I could sit on her porch with her and a glass of lemonade while listening to her life stories.
The main settings, Viridian’s house, and the retreat were so summery and fun. The varying personalities of the cast, from Carla and Oscar to Boone and Gil, was array across the board that just made me laugh.
At times I found the plot a tad slow-moving but it eventually picked back up. The ending also left me feeling a bit let down, the MC, Carla’s, character arc felt like it was building up to something throughout and then just kinda fell flat (which wasn’t the case for other characters).
This book explores the weight of an artist’s legacy and what it means to be a member of the poetry community. It is a perfect summer read with some added twists and turns.
•••
Some of my favorite quotes that I highlighted while reading:
“I thought that poetry must be love, or maybe love was poetry.”
“You need to get over the idea of supposed to be. You need to develop your own standards, your likes, and dislikes. That’s part of critical thinking.”
“You think writing poems has something to do with talent? Not much at all. It has to do with pure, stubborn determination to keep doing it, to not be discouraged by the thousand things that are meant to discourage you. Nobody cares if you do it or not. No guarantees that anybody is going to read any of it.”
“How much was a legacy of poems worth anyway? Was it the exact weight of a short life subtracted from a long one, the difference in years?”
“I was thinking that maybe I liked poetry more than I liked poets.”
•••
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 8, 2023
The Poet's House is about Carla, in her early 20s, and her new friendship with an older group of capital-P Poets, mainly Viridian who has taken Carla under her wing. I thought this book took itself wayyy to seriously in some spots, especially about the identity of someone as a poet. When they'd have those conversations, it didn't usually feel true to Carla's character. I also did not like her last choice at the end. That said, I was pretty interested in the plot and resonated with the friendship with an older artistic friend and the anxiety around their aging. Would recommend but beware of pretentiousness if that bothers you.
July 8, 2022
4.5 🌟
Carla is working a landscaping job, even though her mom and her boyfriend make her feel like she should be doing more with her life.
Her current client is Viridian Boone, an aging but elegant poet. Carla sets out to plant the Salvia and Shasta daisies when she suddenly finds herself in the gravitational pull of Viridian and her quirky but endearing group of poet friends.
Carla is fired from her landscaping gig and now feels like a total loser. But when she is offered to work for Viridian, she’s excited but intimidated. Carla knows nothing about poetry; in fact, she has a reading disability that has always held her back. Soon Viridian’s world of poetry opens up something new within Carla.
Let me first say I loved the writing in this book! Jean Thompson writes in such a natural, genuine manner that you just melt into the narrative. I adored Oscar, Viridian’s friend and fellow poet; eccentric, yes, but I loved how he viewed the world. Carla is young, searching for what the future holds, and Viridian wisely and poetically encourages her. This story shares incredible insight with both humor and heart.
Thank you @algonquinbooks for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.
Carla is working a landscaping job, even though her mom and her boyfriend make her feel like she should be doing more with her life.
Her current client is Viridian Boone, an aging but elegant poet. Carla sets out to plant the Salvia and Shasta daisies when she suddenly finds herself in the gravitational pull of Viridian and her quirky but endearing group of poet friends.
Carla is fired from her landscaping gig and now feels like a total loser. But when she is offered to work for Viridian, she’s excited but intimidated. Carla knows nothing about poetry; in fact, she has a reading disability that has always held her back. Soon Viridian’s world of poetry opens up something new within Carla.
Let me first say I loved the writing in this book! Jean Thompson writes in such a natural, genuine manner that you just melt into the narrative. I adored Oscar, Viridian’s friend and fellow poet; eccentric, yes, but I loved how he viewed the world. Carla is young, searching for what the future holds, and Viridian wisely and poetically encourages her. This story shares incredible insight with both humor and heart.
Thank you @algonquinbooks for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.
July 19, 2022
I was gifted an ARC of this book from a friend who works in an Indie book store. And I very much enjoyed the read, although I am not sure that I would have picked this one up on my own which says to me that reading outside of your natural reading patterns at times is beneficial.
Carla is a landscaper who is being constantly bombarded with the message that she needs to get her life together and do something more meaningful. By chance she becomes acquainted with a writing community and is accepted into their inner circle. She is not someone who has ever studied poetry but becomes obsessed with it. The story shines a light on the vulnerabilities of writers and their dependence on publishers and publicists who so impact their opportunities and choices which in turn impacts their career trajectory, their families and their friends. It also provides insight and an understanding of unlikely intergenerational relationships which can obviously be rewarding in uncommon and unlikely ways.
Favorite quote: "You need to get over the idea of supposed to be. You need to develop your own standards, your likes and dislikes. That's part of critical thinking."
Carla is a landscaper who is being constantly bombarded with the message that she needs to get her life together and do something more meaningful. By chance she becomes acquainted with a writing community and is accepted into their inner circle. She is not someone who has ever studied poetry but becomes obsessed with it. The story shines a light on the vulnerabilities of writers and their dependence on publishers and publicists who so impact their opportunities and choices which in turn impacts their career trajectory, their families and their friends. It also provides insight and an understanding of unlikely intergenerational relationships which can obviously be rewarding in uncommon and unlikely ways.
Favorite quote: "You need to get over the idea of supposed to be. You need to develop your own standards, your likes and dislikes. That's part of critical thinking."
July 25, 2022
I would give this book 4.5 stars. I know next to nothing about poetry, so perhaps if one does this book might hit differently. Despite my lack of knowledge, the book succeeded for me because these characters were very alive to me. I could see them all very clearly. This is a book I wanted to finish so I knew what happened to these people.
March 22, 2023
some good nuggets but why did I have to be told what everyone was wearing
July 25, 2022
“The Poet’s House”, by Jean Thompson, didn’t quite live up to my expectations and hopes after her wonderful “The Year We Left Home”.
In it we follow aimless young Carla, a landscaper in norther California who is coasting along until she meets Viridian, a celebrated poet who is surrounded by artists and other stereotypical Marin County/San Francisco folk. Through her, Carla gains an appreciation for poetry, and people of the arts.
I totally predicted the ending.
In it we follow aimless young Carla, a landscaper in norther California who is coasting along until she meets Viridian, a celebrated poet who is surrounded by artists and other stereotypical Marin County/San Francisco folk. Through her, Carla gains an appreciation for poetry, and people of the arts.
I totally predicted the ending.
August 26, 2023
A perfect example of the idea that a book doesn’t need super high stakes to be intense and wonderful. The Poet’s House is one of these books. This is a small story of a girl named Carla, an insecure and aimless drifter who ends up in a house full of poets, with big dreams and even bigger egos.
Carla is one of the most memorable characters I’ve ever read - I loved in her quiet, unassuming and kind nature. I learned a lot about poetry reading this book, and while I felt there was kind of a meandering to the plot, it felt very much like a poem in the end. A slow, quiet unfolding.
Carla is one of the most memorable characters I’ve ever read - I loved in her quiet, unassuming and kind nature. I learned a lot about poetry reading this book, and while I felt there was kind of a meandering to the plot, it felt very much like a poem in the end. A slow, quiet unfolding.
March 27, 2023
As Ms. Dacus once said, “you don’t wanna be a creator, doesn’t mean you’ve got nothing to say.”
January 19, 2024
crazy how i dnf’ed this and my skin immediately cleared…..
September 27, 2022
A Poet’s house took place in California.
Loved the poetry, made the writing sparkle!!
Loved the poetry, made the writing sparkle!!
August 24, 2022
It's so difficult to write a book about poets and poetry for non-poets, but Thompson has done so here in the most graceful, amusing, unpretentious way. I was lucky enough to read it in a single sitting--on a plane, where I might easily have become sleepy or restless, but I never wanted to put it down.
August 2, 2022
Subtitle this book "A Defence of Poetry" [sic]
A friend recommended The Poet's House, and wanting to share her enthusiasm, I took it up. In fact, I found it an easy read and moved through it fairly quickly. I say an "easy read" because it is uncomplicated in language, plot and characters. Carla, the protagonist has nothing at stake except the same questions every young person has -- love, work, but also, self-esteem. She meets a well-known poet and takes a peripheral role in the world of writers. She volunteers at a literary magazine and she takes a support job as a writer's workshop. Most of the novel is her passive observation of these characters, their ways and wiles -- sometimes that's fun and funny. But, as a main character, she takes almost no significant action until, in the last chapter, she has an insight that solves a mystery, thus demonstrating her new appreciation of poetry and, therefore, her improved self-esteem.
The quote from Kirkus Reviews sited on the cover, describes the book as "mise-en-scene," which is a classy way to describe this static quality.
As for the celebrated poet who influences Carla's life course, we never get close to her. Like the other characters, she belongs to the rarified cast of observed characters. We sense from early on that she will die. And, honestly, whenever it was going to happen in the plot... what difference would it really make except that Carla would feel sad, maybe stay with her boyfriend, maybe be a teacher -- or not.
A Defence of Poetry -- why we should appreciate what poets experience and share with us. OK, got it. But as a told story, only average for me.
A friend recommended The Poet's House, and wanting to share her enthusiasm, I took it up. In fact, I found it an easy read and moved through it fairly quickly. I say an "easy read" because it is uncomplicated in language, plot and characters. Carla, the protagonist has nothing at stake except the same questions every young person has -- love, work, but also, self-esteem. She meets a well-known poet and takes a peripheral role in the world of writers. She volunteers at a literary magazine and she takes a support job as a writer's workshop. Most of the novel is her passive observation of these characters, their ways and wiles -- sometimes that's fun and funny. But, as a main character, she takes almost no significant action until, in the last chapter, she has an insight that solves a mystery, thus demonstrating her new appreciation of poetry and, therefore, her improved self-esteem.
The quote from Kirkus Reviews sited on the cover, describes the book as "mise-en-scene," which is a classy way to describe this static quality.
As for the celebrated poet who influences Carla's life course, we never get close to her. Like the other characters, she belongs to the rarified cast of observed characters. We sense from early on that she will die. And, honestly, whenever it was going to happen in the plot... what difference would it really make except that Carla would feel sad, maybe stay with her boyfriend, maybe be a teacher -- or not.
A Defence of Poetry -- why we should appreciate what poets experience and share with us. OK, got it. But as a told story, only average for me.
August 2, 2022
I was pretty disappointed in this book. It didn't grab me like it should have and took too long to get into. A good chunk of it could have been cut as well. A landscaper who becomes enamoured with a houses' owner who happens to be a poet. Not sure where she fits in, Carla, the landscaper becomes involved in the life and times of writers in California. Very predictable.
A special thank you for the advanced readers copy from Algonquin book for an honest review.
A special thank you for the advanced readers copy from Algonquin book for an honest review.
September 23, 2022
I really wanted to love this book but didn’t. A group of poets and a young girl who doesn’t know where to go with her life collide and lo and behold she discovers her love of poetry. Simple enough but Carla the young girl is irritating in her immaturity.
January 29, 2023
Sometimes a review is as simple as: I just didn't care.
March 1, 2024
Somewhere between a 3-3.5. I enjoyed parts of it and it kept me interested but then other parts seemed to drag. Also I didn't love .
August 8, 2022
"I didn't answer. I was thinking how far away what he said was from the way I'd come to poetry, the way it had gobsmacked me and sent me out into the world breathing a new, charged air, how it made me feel the words might burn if you touched them."
~pg.200
•
A lovely look at the art world and the draw to thoes inside it.
THE POETS HOUSE is a great summer read! It follows young Carla as she navigates a transitional time in her life and gets swept up in a circle of poets. She becomes taken with Veridian, a lovely, older female poet with a complicated past. Veridian is taken with Carla too, she sees something of herself in her and they become friends. As the story progresses, Carla spends most of her time at Veridians house and gets immersed in this new world of old love affairs, pettiness, and drama within this close group of writers.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! It was different from anything I have been reading lately. It was light but meaningful. I loved Veridian's backstory and how Thompson captured the attraction to artistic circles and the arts themselves. This was my first read from Thompson, a wonderfully skilled storyteller. If you like Lily King, or Anne Pachett you might enjoy this one!
Thank You to @thomasallenltd for sending me this book.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
~pg.200
•
A lovely look at the art world and the draw to thoes inside it.
THE POETS HOUSE is a great summer read! It follows young Carla as she navigates a transitional time in her life and gets swept up in a circle of poets. She becomes taken with Veridian, a lovely, older female poet with a complicated past. Veridian is taken with Carla too, she sees something of herself in her and they become friends. As the story progresses, Carla spends most of her time at Veridians house and gets immersed in this new world of old love affairs, pettiness, and drama within this close group of writers.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! It was different from anything I have been reading lately. It was light but meaningful. I loved Veridian's backstory and how Thompson captured the attraction to artistic circles and the arts themselves. This was my first read from Thompson, a wonderfully skilled storyteller. If you like Lily King, or Anne Pachett you might enjoy this one!
Thank You to @thomasallenltd for sending me this book.
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
September 12, 2022
Carla is a young woman with a boyfriend, a dog, and a job as a landscape worker. She is sent to work at the home of a woman named Viridian who, it turns out, is a famous and highly esteemed poet. Many years ago Viridian was in love with another poet named Mathias who, before committing suicide, burned the only copies of his final poems. But they weren't the only copies because Viridian has those, and there are a great many people who want them. Carla finds herself enmeshed in a world she never would have imagined but cannot resist.
Jean Thompson is a writer of lovely, intelligent, grown-up stories and this is no exception. The poetry in the book is genuinely good poetry, and it is sweet to watch as Carla, who has a learning disability, falls in love with something that was once out of her reach. She is the narrator of the story, and while it's never really made clear what it is about her that causes all of these successful, creative people to become so enamored of her that they immediately welcome her into their world, Thompson's writing is such a pleasure to read, that you just kind of go with it. There's even a surprise twist at the end for those of you who can't do without that sort of thing.
Jean Thompson is a writer of lovely, intelligent, grown-up stories and this is no exception. The poetry in the book is genuinely good poetry, and it is sweet to watch as Carla, who has a learning disability, falls in love with something that was once out of her reach. She is the narrator of the story, and while it's never really made clear what it is about her that causes all of these successful, creative people to become so enamored of her that they immediately welcome her into their world, Thompson's writing is such a pleasure to read, that you just kind of go with it. There's even a surprise twist at the end for those of you who can't do without that sort of thing.
July 24, 2022
Narrated by 21 year old Carla, she tells the story of how she meets Viridian, a poet, and her gaggle of poetic friends. Carla is on the road to nowhere; she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. She's in a relationship with Aaron and she works as a landscaper. Then she meets Viridian.
Viridian opens up Carla's world, first by just being Viridian, and then by introducing poetry into Carla's life. Carla becomes entangled in Viridian's world of writing, workshops, friends, and parties. She is in awe of this life and how much this entire poetic universe is one she totally loves.
This book is full of relationships, hardships, drama, comedy, and love. There's also a little bit of mystery and intrigue. Under the always confident and wonderful pen of author Jean Thompson, this is truly a good read. Thompson works magic with her words; all of her books are too good to not read.
Viridian opens up Carla's world, first by just being Viridian, and then by introducing poetry into Carla's life. Carla becomes entangled in Viridian's world of writing, workshops, friends, and parties. She is in awe of this life and how much this entire poetic universe is one she totally loves.
This book is full of relationships, hardships, drama, comedy, and love. There's also a little bit of mystery and intrigue. Under the always confident and wonderful pen of author Jean Thompson, this is truly a good read. Thompson works magic with her words; all of her books are too good to not read.
August 20, 2022
I always enjoy a story about writers and this story of writers, some overly dramatic was entertaining.
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Carla is let into an inner circle of poets when she was invited to work for Viridian, a lovely aging poet. Carla finds herself engrossed in their stories and their shared history. This group lived and died by the words ok a page and in times of darkness the words helped find their way, especially Carla as she tried to navigate what she wants to do in life.
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Thank you #algonquin and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Carla is let into an inner circle of poets when she was invited to work for Viridian, a lovely aging poet. Carla finds herself engrossed in their stories and their shared history. This group lived and died by the words ok a page and in times of darkness the words helped find their way, especially Carla as she tried to navigate what she wants to do in life.
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Thank you #algonquin and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2022
Carla is a young woman at loose ends working in landscaping when she meets a famous poet and gets drawn into her inner circle. Rather underwhelming coming of age story.
August 13, 2022
really 3.5. i had a truly great time tearing through it. the best part was the dialogue at the writers conference / retreat. it made me cackle.
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July 11, 2025I’ve been trying to read more adult fiction (I’m not feeling hugely drawn to young adult anymore) and I’m just not a huge fan. I really didn’t like the end of this one.
October 2, 2022
I enjoyed this book. The protagonist reminded me a little bit of myself. And maybe, because of that, I wondered at how she was able to absorb so much poetry in such a short time. It's taken me decades and I still feel like I'm a novice, still missing so much of my "educaton."
All in all, great characters and a good story.
All in all, great characters and a good story.
October 1, 2022
When I started reading this book, I didn't expect to finish it. The young narrator seems sappy in the beginning, but as I read, I grew to appreciate the comments about poetry and art, and about learning disabilities. I love the description of the writers' conference in the woods. The narrator matures by the end, and the message about women writers is thought-provoking.
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