The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within: Amazon.co.uk: Stephen Fry: Books

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35 Reviews

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4.6 out of 5 stars (35 customer reviews)

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94 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I have wanted since I was 14, 2 Nov 2005

By	the antiquary - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within (Hardcover)

No-one teaches metre. Absolutely no-one. I had some excellent English teachers, but they all seemed to be bound by some Masonic vow not to disclose its secrets. I know a published poet, naturally gifted, a mobile library of learning, and utterly unable to communicate enjoyably even the basics of the lost rules of verse.

Stephen Fry steps in like a concerned uncle and jovially dismisses the nonsense preventing us from growing up and writing proper poetry, better, he accompanies us beyond the foreword so that this, if you ever had any doubt, is never a dry book. He imparts something at least as valuable as laughter (also included), a sense of achievement gained through real knowledge that you can apply, not mere trivia.

Even if you already write free verse and won’t give it up by the end, even if you never really intend to write poetry at all, this is an invaluable aid to understanding the great poets; your hat size will increase, other British people will be grudgingly impressed and grateful sons, daughters, and cute English students will want to spend more time with you, doing their homework for them.

Encouraging the population to write poetry could be a toxically dangerous thing to do, but not, I think, if they read this book.

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50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it!, 26 Aug 2007

By	decomplexity (Rutland, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within (Hardcover)

I have been searching for ages for a something - anything - which clearly explained metre and feet, and all the different verse forms: the sonnets, ballads, odes et alia, things which seem to have vanished from English courses (to be superseded by `creativity' and incomprehensible blank verse).
Having read and tried and failed to understand Edgar Allan Poe's account of metre, the fog suddenly lifted after reading Fry's really excellent book. I can now recite Poe's The Raven and understand the underlying metrical scheme; for me an achievement!

This book covers a lot of ground, is surprisingly comprehensive and - as a testament to Fry's brilliance - is easy to read but not patronising. He will probably upset academics by writing clearly and without unnecessary jargon.

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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is worth ten stars., 28 April 2007

By	J. D. Aspinall (South West England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within (Hardcover)

Stephen fry is one of the rarest of fellows; fiercely intelligent without a trace of intellectual snobbery. I could listen to him all day.

I bought this for my interest in writing discipline. The constraints of form that poets and theatrical lyricists (the decent ones, anyway) work within fascinates me, and has done for years.

Sir Tim Rice has said that his best work always comes when the melody is written first. Having to write within melodic constraints tends to focus the mind much more than a blank page ever will. A blank page allows thoughts to drift and wander; working within certain rules of form ensures that the mind remains sharpened to the task.

Poets are drowning in rules. I was thrilled to learn that there are so many to consider. I have some interest in what Poets have to say, but a huge interest in how they choose to say it.

Stephen Fry has presented this subject in a style that is accessible and amusing and that is a sign of his, perhaps, limitless talent.

The word "genius" is used far too often nowadays. In Stephen Fry's case I think it is wholly appropriate.

I hope you buy this book. It is certainly worth your money.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Does what it says...
The work of a poetry lover,
Which does what it says on the cover.
And does it with an intelligently succinct quality. Read more

Published 8 days ago by Philoctetes

5.0 out of 5 stars The Classical How to Write Poetry Book
Stephen Fry has writen a comprehensive book on the classical forms of poetry,which is informative and amusing. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Michael Russell

5.0 out of 5 stars A Homeric Ode to "The Ode Less Travelled"
How can I extoll this book?
I'm struggling to find a hook.
No words in me I have to serve,
To fete this book as it deserves. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Ms. Kate Mchale

5.0 out of 5 stars unlocking the poet in oneself
The best book I have ever read about making poetry. Fry is a master of encouragement for hesitant would-be poets. The information is clear and most helpful. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Mrs. I. J. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars I won't go on...
.... because alot of people have already reviewed this book. But I just wanted to say how useful it's been to me, to help me with a university course I've been studying. Read more

Published 5 months ago by J. C. Chamberlain

5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Fry, The Ode Less Travelled
'The Ode Less Travelled' by St. Fry has already had an 'unleashing effect'.
Fry's lighthearted style, the way he actively tries to involve his readers, is stimulating. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Erika A. Bulow-osborne

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Add Curiosity
Poetry is an oft-overlooked art, and due to its lack of popularity, there is a resultant lack of materials to help any prospective poets get started. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Kieran J. Corcoran

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
It starts well. The first section (on metre) is easy to read and understand, with plenty of examples. Read more

Published 6 months ago by David Kelly

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly brilliant - the perfect gift. Anyone who is studying English at any stage will thank you for it
I've seen it written here already but I learnt more about metre, rhyme and verse form(so poetry basically)from Stephen Fry than i did throughout my entire English Literature... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Howard Green

4.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating to a poetry philistine. Fry's slightly twee schoolmasterly style might irritate.
This book did make me me appreciate poetry a bit more, at least the technicalities of it. But while I am a fan of his, I found the sheer Stephen Fry-ness of it hard to stomach at... Read more

Published 7 months ago by P. Hammond

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	87% buy the item featured on this page: The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within 4.6 out of 5 stars (35)
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The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poet Within (Hardcover)

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