What readers think of The Poet's House, plus links to write your own review.

What a delight it was to read this book! It has it all. Jean Thompson's characters, each distinct from one another, provide an understanding of poets, poetry, the lives of artists in general. One gets a front row seat and view of the life styles, emotions, competitiveness, and quirks of this unique group of individuals. This book will motivate some readers to pursue a greater exposure to, or understanding of, poetry in general. It is all presented in the story, enmeshed in a tale of complex relationships, and laugh out loud humor. This is a read that I have truly appreciated and will recommend to as many groups and people as possible. It prompted me to read more of Jean Thompson's novels and to "follow" her.

Usually I have no trouble expressing my opinion about a book, but this time I want to ask the other reviewers "What did you think?" I don't have a feel for whether other readers will like this book or not. What I know for sure: I was never bored; the writing was supremely readable; the narrator heroine was witty, intelligent, feisty, almost debilitatingly insecure, and totally believable.
As a dyslexic young adult (she never uses that word), she has avoided college and works as a landscaper. Both her mother and his boyfriend try to encourage her to reach higher, but it is her chance involvement with a group of poets that helps her see herself in a different light. Her interactions with these artistic poets and writers, and with the poetry itself, change her; and in some strange way, at the end of the book I felt changed, too.

I always start a new book with no expectations and just a hope that my love for reading is rewarded. The Poet's House not only rewarded me, it did so most handsomely and in great style. I loved the development of the main characters Carla and Viridian. And the subtlety with which the inescapable and daily fact of male bonding and fight for control has been portrayed. Although the plot was predictable the presentation was original. And there were a few surprises like the relationship between the mom and Oliver that defied the beaten track. I was grateful to the author for the realistic ending. There was no fanciful outburst of poetry from a protagonist with a reading disability which would have spoilt the entire effect of the book. Her reunion with an errant lover was actually a relief. Her back to university and classes was a great end to a most enjoyable adventure of the mind in which I was happily transported along. And the dignified end to a tremendous Viridian was noteworthy.

Altogether a very enjoyable read and a book I would recommend to my own and other book clubs.

This is a good book. Very impressed with book.

I enjoyed reading The Poet's House very much. It was fun following the adventures of Carla, a young landscaper, and how she decided her career and life path. Carla was very willing to try new things and Viridian, a long-time poet and client, was very willing to befriend her and take her under her wing. Viridian exposed Carla to many new experiences and people which Carla enjoyed. I could not wait to find out what Carla would do next and was very happy with her choices. I look forward to reading Jean Thompson's other books now.

This is a novel for anyone who loves poetry—a bildungsroman that begins when a capable, bright but insecure young woman accidentally falls in love with poetry. To her great surprise: Carla is convinced she's not college material, not a reader let alone a writer. While working for a garden service, she's sent to the home of an elderly client, the famous poet Viridian, a woman of striking looks and intriguing personality who treats Carla as a more than a hired hand. So when Carla happens to notice a poster advertising a poetry reading by Viridian, out of curiosity she decides to attend.

The poems shake her to the core. Her honest reaction touches the poet, who begins to mentor her gardener with poetry books on tape, life advice, friendship and respect, drawing her into a social circle of quirky poets, editors and agents. Carla has no ambition to write, but she begins to push herself to explore new work opportunities in the "poetry biz"—despite conflicts with her boyfriend—and to gain important insights into poems, those who write them, and into herself. She becomes the one in whom Viridian confides, indirectly, an important piece of information that will leave Carla with a key role to play in the poet's legacy.

It is delightful and refreshing to read a novel where affairs of the heart take second place to the more compelling question, How should we live? One where romance is found above all in the joy of learning to see poetry, and life, in a new way.

I enjoyed this book. Jean is a good storyteller and it was funny and warmhearted. I was pleased that some of the writers were so kind and accepting, especially Viridian who was willing to open the world of poetry to other people. I felt Carla's insecurities were believable and I was glad she kept trying things in spite of them. Jean writes with a sensitivity and good insights. I would have liked more poems. I also would suggest not using the book, "Less" as similar because my book club of 70 year olds really disliked it and I almost didn't read this book because of that comparison. This book was much better and I plan to try another of her books as she has 8 other novels.

The poet's house is a very unusual novel. It is more of a narrative by a young woman with obvious intelligence and fierce determination, held back by a lifetime of low self esteem. Carla has dyslexia and ADHD and because of her different perspective, she becomes enamored of poetry, of all things! Since poetry provides a different perspective of the human condition, to me, the story works.
It is a story you can swallow in one sitting, similar to Anxious People. I enjoyed reading the snippets of poetry aloud. It encouraged me to open some poetry books on my shelf.
I enjoyed the book . It is a welcome break from dystopian and historical fiction that lines the bookstore shelves currently. It is truly original.