Thirst: Poems
by Mary Oliver
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Book Summary Information
Author: Mary OliverEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-03
ISBN: 0807068977
Number of pages: 88
Publisher: Beacon Press
Book Reviews of Thirst: Poems
Book Review: Thirst - Sensational Poetry by Mary Oliver Reaching Deep Into the Soul
Summary: 5 Stars
This excellent book entitled, "Thirst" by Mary Oliver, is very exciting to read. The poems are realistic, contemporary, and inspiring to the soul. It leaves one with a sense of feeling which brings tranquility to the mind, body and spirit.
The architectural style of the poems is very pleasing to the eyes and actually gives a different feeling while reading the lines. The variation of such designs makes the poems easier to read. Her innovative style of writing also makes the poems very interesting and inspiring.
Beginning with the first poem in this excellent book, "Messenger," with such words as, "a mouth with which to give shouts of joy," set the stage for a refreshing and an encouraging read. Here she presents to us, that the mouth should be used to sing, give praises, and build things up, instead of belittling, tearing down or destroying things.
Another great poem is, "When Roses Speak, I Pay Attention." This is also an enchanting and touching poem to read. Imagine the scent of roses on Valentine's Day with such aromatic fragrance which speaks to the mind, body, and soul; who would not pay attention and listen?
Her expression in "Making the House Ready for the Lord," is very moving and evolving. She presents her questions to the Lord in such an eloquent fashion, while seeking His advice. The raccoon limping into the kitchen, fox staring boldly down the path in the new fallen snow, including the lost dog, all of which she speaks with, thus presenting such enchanting and fascinating images. Consider her words to each of them, as she says,"Come in, Come in!" This picture is similar to Like Noah and the Ark; her home was ready for the Lord.
The dynamic, inspirational, and uplifting poem "The Uses of Sorrows," certainly shows the tenacity and perseverance of the soul. It represents aspects of life we must understand and react to in a positive manner by embracing and learning from its essence. She presents to us that sorrows could actually be joy based on our perception and state of reference when receiving and processing such events.
The Epilogue entitled, "Thirst," with the same name of the book, shows her humility. She asked in a humble fashion for the granting of more time to accomplish her tasks on Earth, since she is a slow learner who is very thirsty. This is such a wonderful sign of humbleness to her Lord as she continues with her inspiration and uplifting mission of reviving souls.
This book is a must read. One has to read it to appreciate the other wonderful poems on its golden pages.
Submitted by "Epulaeryu Master."
Summary of Thirst: Poems
Now in paperback: the national bestseller from the Pulitzer Prize?winning poet"To read Thirst, Mary Oliver's most recent book of poems, is to feel gratitude for the simple fact of being alive." ?Angela O'Donnell, America Magazine
Thirst, a collection of forty-three new poems from Pulitzer Prize?winner Mary Oliver, introduces two new directions in the poet's work. Grappling with grief at the death of her beloved partner of over forty years, she strives to experience sorrow as a path to spiritual progress, grief as part of loving and not its end. And within these pages she chronicles for the first time her discovery of faith, without abandoning the love of the physical world that has been a hallmark of her work for four decades.
"Mary Oliver moves by instinct, faith, and determination. She is among our finest poets, and still growing."
?Alicia Ostriker, The Nation
"It has always seemed, across her [many] books of poetry, . . . that Mary Oliver might leave us at any minute. Even a 1984 Pulitzer Prize couldn't pin her to the ground. She'd change quietly into a heron or a bear and fly or walk on forever."
?Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times
"'My work is loving the world,' Oliver tells us?.She has always done that work?in poems of considerable beauty. Now she rises, not above the world, but through it."
?Jay Parini, The Guardian, 10/6/2007
"Mary Oliver is, to my mind, one of the most gifted American poets working in English today. In her hands, the language acquires a lucidity approaching translucence; the accuracy of her vision and the precision of her voice are unique in their refreshing simplicity. Perhaps most singular is the tendency of her poems to be at once powerful and appealing; an affection for the natural world and a sympathy toward the reader abide."
?Katherine Hollander, Pleiades, Fall 2007
"To read Thirst is to feel gratitude for the simple fact of being alive. This is not surprising, as it is the effect [Oliver's] best work has produced in readers for the past 43 years."
?Angela O'Donnell, America magazine
"'My work is loving the world.' That first line of 'Messenger,' the first poem in Mary Oliver's new collection Thirst (Beacon Press), names what she does better than any other poet writing today. Just as Joan Didion's memoir The Year of Magical Thinking, which had a similar 'occasion,' was arguably her best work ever, so is Thirst Oliver's."
?Tim Pfaff, Bay Area Reporter, 1/11/07
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