Why read The Penguin Book of the Sonnet?

Book cover of The Penguin Book of the Sonnet: 500 Years of a Classic Tradition in English

Book description

One of the oldest literary forms of the post-classical world, the sonnet has engaged nearly every well-known poet writing in a Western language. This collection reveals how each writer - from William Wordsworth to Wilfred Owen - met the challenge of transforming an inherited pattern and convention. The result is…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Penguin Book of the Sonnet as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Barbara L.B. Storey

Author

I have always had old-fashioned tastes when it comes to poetry, and sonnets in particular are a form I have been attracted to. This anthology has the best sonnets from Chaucer to contemporary poets, a real education in the form, and one of my favourites here is by e.e. cummings, titled “I like my body when it is with your body.”

From Barbara's list on love poetry that aren't all hearts, flowers, and mush.