A Cartload of Scrolls by James P. Lenfestey is not your average book of poetry. Whether you consider yourself an avid or reluctant reader of poetry, you’ll find great joy in discovering Lenfestey’s eight-line verses crafted after the style of ancient Chinese poet Han-Shan. How do I know this book will please even the reluctants? My sixth grade teacher, that’s how I know.
Before the sixth grade, I loved poems, albeit the ones written for children. I loved the rhythms, the word choices, the stories they told. But Mrs. Script changed all of that with a torturous school year of poetry memorization and recitation, sometimes in front of the class, other times in front of the entire school. Not enjoyable for one self-conscious little girl who sat in the back of the class. I thus became a “reluctant” when it came to poetry.
And so my thanks goes out to James P. Lenfestey, who has put me to poetry rights once again. I was immediately drawn to his collection of 100 poems and knew I had to review it. Maybe it was the premise of the book – Lenfestey’s love for Han-Shan’s 1,200-year-old work, driving him to write over 30 years’ of poems in response. Or maybe it’s the everyday, relatable, and often humorous tone of these short gems, but I relished each one. With titles like “Yelling at Birds” and “To the Gnat Drowned in my Wine at Lunch,” how can I not help picking the book back up just to reread a favorite? Yes, this is friendly, accessible poetry that manages to convey everything from humor to beauty in just a few lines. This is poetry for everyone.
If you’re reading this review and thinking you’d like to have A Cartload of Scrolls, either for a gift or for what ails you, I’ve got an extra copy to give away. Just leave a comment telling me what intrigues you about the book, and a winner will be chosen at random on 12noon EST Wednesday, March 12, 2008. For even more ways to win and for contest rules, click here.
Published by Holy Cow! Press.
This looks very interesting…I’d like to know more.
I have fallen out of the habit of reading poetry. Children, life, moving, and all manner of things have gotten in the way of such simple pleasures. I think this is just the sort of book to give that small treat back to myself.
What intrigues me is the use of the eight line verses crafted after the Chinese poet Han-Shan. I’d like to see how Lefenstey uses English in the Chinese style since the flow of words are significantly different.
I’m intrigued by the titles of the poems. They offer such visual imagery.
love to get lost in poetry
This sounds like a very different collection of poetry.
love reading
I love the style of ancient Chinese poet Han-Shan.
The title of some of the poems you mentioned intrigue me as well as the historical reflection of it.
30 years of poems – wow
it sounds interesting how he crafted contemporary poems from ancient poem writing.
Oh I’m a poetry reluctant too… perhaps I should read this book!
This collection of poems is unique and fascinating. When I was very young my mother gave me a book of poetry which I cherished. It is long gone and so is my mom but I still think about it.
I would love to read this collection of poems!
I’m not one to be interested in poetry, but your review has got me interested in finding out more of Lenfestey’s work. Thanks!
Writing poems has been an outlet for me since childhood and the book sounds fascinating. I’m an author (of one book only, not poetry), but it feels good to have that one out of my system.
I love reading poetry
hehehe…I guess If I don’t ask I won’t receive right?? thanks for giving this one away!
how do you have so many books?do you get them from publishers? how can i get publishers to send me books…or is that a secret?
that is a lot of questions.
Hi, First of all, I love the look of the cover. It looks like antiquity and the time of the poet Han-Shan. I clicked on your link and read about him. I would enjoy comparing the book’s poetry with his. Thanks for all of your marvelous reviews and book giveaways! I appreciate them…..Cindi
this looks good
i wuld love a chance to read these poems everynight sincs my kids have been small and they are now preteen we have read together and still do now the books are just more adult we are just getting into history and poetry so thies book would be a wonderful edetion to our night time ritual
i just love ancient poetry, it’s so full of wisdom that todays poetry is lacking, so it’ll be interesting to see new poetry structured the same way the ancient poetry is.
My husband says that my reading adiction is breaking the bank.
The fact that this book is a 30 year complilation of poetic response to works completed 1,200 years previously is quite intriguing.
My daughter is Chinese, and we try to maintain a big library on anything that might be interesting to us in the future. I’d love to read this now, and save it for her as she grows up.
My husband is Asian and I would love to introduce my son to Asian poetry. I think he would enjoy it – even if he is only 10 months.
I love poetry and I love Chinese culture! Can’t wait to read this!
i love poems my grandfather used to write them for /about people
I’ve always loved poetry & quotes. Plus my oldest daughter who hates to read, loves poetry. I know this book would be enjoyed by our family for years!
enter me please, thank you for the contest
love the selection of poems
Intereating idea
this looks like it would be a good read
I love poetry and I’m always interested in poems I haven’t read.
I love poetry and am currently particularly interested in poetry that has been influenced by other cultures. I think this would be amazing to read and keep by the computer or on a nightstand to just flip through whenever you get a moment.
Thank you very much for offering this great giveaway and exposing me to this book.
I’m not much of a poetry reader myself but I’d love to start!
This book intrigues me. I’m interested in seeing how a modern poet responds to work produced so long ago and far away. Thanks!
Poetry rocks.
Hey I posted already, #34. But I wanted to let you know that I also blogged about your contest.
I haven’t gotten a new poetry book in ages!!
I blogged you on Prizeatron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
The poetry in this novel really intrigues me.
I love them short and sweet.
Sounds wonderful!
Life is Poetry!
love poetry – would love the book!
sounds like a great read
awesome
sounds interesting
I would like to read some poetry; I don’t think I have since college.
I think it’s the slight humor in the poetry that is most appealing to me about this book.
I love poetry. Please include me.