One of the more enjoyable experiences I have had this year has been the discovery of Steven Herrick’s verse novels, capable of painting a visual imagery in the mind while offering a gentle understanding of his characters. This would be a great way to open up the concept of poetry to a reluctant reader.
If you would like to learn more about Steven Herrick the poet and author, goes to his web page at http://www.acay.com.au/~sherrick/. If you want to read some of his verse novels, they are available in bookstores, and, for those close to Sydney Uni, in the Curriculum Resources Library.
I think Steven Herrick is great too. I especially like “The Gift’ and it is a great way to introduce older students who would not normally read a whole novel to some beautiful language in short readable chapters.
Agreed. It is a great way to introduce the concept of poetry as narrative. The two others that I have read lately are “Lonesome Howl” and “A Place Like This”. Both are well worth a visit. They have opened up a whole new world of narative visualisation and a vital example of the power of words.