The poem is praised for its vivid imagery and its ability to capture the essence of the river Dart. It is noted for its unique structure and the way it blends myth and realism.
The reviewer highlights how the poem Dart by Alice Oswald is a masterful blend of myth and realism, capturing the essence of the river Dart. They appreciate the vivid imagery and the unique structure of the poem, which allows it to flow like the river itself. The poem is seen as a journey, both physical and metaphorical, that engages the reader with its rich language and deep connections to the landscape. The reviewer also notes the poem's ability to weave together different voices and perspectives, creating a tapestry of experiences along the river's course.
Quick quotes
British poet Alice Oswald begins her book-length poem Dart by asserting this comparison between the poet's voice and the river's.
The poem flows smoothly between Hughesian myth and Larkinesque realism.
A fine catch, this book of honed verse that glitters and glides like the river itself.