American Primitive

I am pleased to have discovered Mary Oliver's poetry. Her skill and passion shows clearly. I have enjoyed sitting on the porch, reading her work this summer.

I am still in awe at how incredibly moving words can be when they've been expressed through the vision and imagination of such a brilliant poet. Her poems engage your sense of wonder, pulling you in to the moment she was experiencing her inspiration. I truly understand why she is so celebrated, she's absolutely brilliant! 5 STARS all the way!

What a pleasant morning to finish this one. I really enjoyed this earlier collection of Mary Oliver. These are largely nature poems, not as obviously spiritual as some of her later works, but beautiful nonetheless. I'll give American Primitive five stars.

One of the other reviewers was like "gave it four stars because one of her OTHER books was better." Can I get a facepalm? That's like saying "I give this Aston Martin Valkyrie 4 stars because I once drove a Lamborghini Sian." Oy vay. That being said, please do buy this book. Buy it and read it. Don't worry if you aren't "into" poetry much. Mary Oliver will take care of you. This is the perfect book for a nature lover, the perfect book for someone with a tender heart. This is a terrific book for someone who loves to read and also to camp and hike. This is a great book for tweens. Enjoy "Humpbacks" first but then read it from end to end. This is no four-star book.

The only one of the Oliver books I didn't have. Don't you make that mistake! Get it now. Simply the finest writing. I got the paperback, and it is both sturdy and attractive. The usual high quality I have come to expect from her publisher. Five well-earned stars.

I am sorry to say, especially because she won the Pulitzer for it, but this is collection homogenizes her into the American literary movement and ignores what makes Oliver unique. The poems are fine. Most are goof, but the subject matter doesn’t really feels like her, doesn’t let her stretch into the themes and emotions that she is famous for today. Don’t get me wrong: four stars still. She is fantastic and some of these poems do hint toward her future collections (I like Blackberries and The Fish, above). Overall, it’s solid and could be analyzed to death in any college English class. But generally? It feels like she is blending contemporary literary trends so she can fit in. Though I am glad she the award, I wish she had won for some of her better stuff.

Reading aloud or in one's head, this "Primitive" primer produces such quiet within. Absolutely beautiful, minimal words with expansive, Robert Lax-like mind-consequences. Bought a second one as a gift and the recipient had the same response without my telling her what my response to Mary Oliver's "Primitive" was. Such a quiet-producing read, per page.

Exceeded expectations.

This selection of Mary Oliver's poems is rich in imagery about nature and the way that her encounters with animal life provoke thoughts on life and meaning. You can step away from the news and read what Mary Oliver has gleaned through stillness and watching. We need more of this these days. It's a small book but that's fitting for her style of writing; sparse but able to say all that there is to say. I was prompted to buy this because of the poem 'In the pinewoods, crows and owl', which you can find online. If you connect with that poem, then this book is for you,

Absolutist the best!

Loved it.💗

Brilliant poet.

Really pleased with the service,I had wanted this book for some considerable time, so was thrilled to received it, it's a lovely book aand well worth the read. Would use the company again