Rhyme's Reason: A Guide to English Verse

The author, now deceased, has managed to write a book which describes different poetry forms by writing the explanation within the form itself. Sometimes, such as for a villanelle, seeing the form and explanation together is much more helpful than reading the definition and famous example separately. The book, also, contains examples outside of the author's.

This book is a real delight! It describes each form by using the form as an example. A description of sonnets is written in sonnet form, a description of ghazals is written as a ghazal, and so on. Very clever, informative and enjoyable! Every poet who wants to try rhyme should check out this book!

The information contained in this slim tome is valuable, but the form in which it is conveyed is lackluster. I understand wanting to be witty and memorable, but by arranging the entire book in verse Professor Hollander only managed to muddy the waters further. A book containing this information arranged in a more traditional format would be much more useful to the student or amateur poet, and this style would be more appropriate as a playful wink to the more experienced reader and writer of poetry.

Outstanding way to get a strong overview of poetic terms, forms, genres, techniques, jargon, and style. Hollander presents each concept by using his explanation of the concept as an example of the concept he is explaining. Great resource!

A must read for anyone who is interested in writing poetry.

I don't know how anyone could like this book. It's annoying to say the least. There is no organization to it at all. The "table of contents" makes it look as if the book is broken up into organized chapters, but nope, it's not. No chapter breaks, no logical organization, nothing. It just seems to ramble on and on and on. If you don't want to read the whole book in one sitting, it's difficult to find logical stopping points to place a bookmark so you can come back to it later. It just rambles on in one long, continuous chapter until you reach the appendix. I was so annoyed trying to read it, I didn't get anything out of it.A complete waste of money. There are much better books available for learning to read and write poetry. Don't waste your money on this one.

A Good resource!

On time and as described.

Very useful guide to the rhythms and verse forms of poetry.

Bought as a present for friend and English student. Very well received.