“Here [is] the prose of an intelligent man who wishes to served poetry—not appropriate it or crow over it or show off as its expense--and this is a rare enough experience to arouse gratitude and admiration.” - Times Literary Supplement (London)
“[Hass’] final intention is not merely to judge but to give a picture of the writer’s mind. . . . Mr. Hass believes that poetry is what defines the self, and it is his ability to describe that process that is the heart of this book’s pleasure.” - New York Times Book Review
“Not just professional acument but a truly personal commitment to his subjectes enlivens these enthusiastic, stylish, consistently interesting even compelling examinations. . . . As a demonstration of the critic’s craft, this collection is, both in substance and style, an exemplary volume.” - Booklist
“Hass brings formidable gifts and experience to the art of criticism…Characteristic of all of these pieces, of course, is Hass’ great erudition (even bibliophiles may feel as if they’ve not read very much) but also a surpassing generosity of spirit, a determination to understand other writers and artists rather than to judge them. [P]rime in its class-literate, learned and wise criticism, with scarcely a breath of cynicism or disdain.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Drawn to compelling subjects that he makes his own, Hass writes prose every bit as zestful, penetrating, and sure-footed as his poetry. . . This powerful collection affirms Hass’ stature as a philosophically attentive observer, deep thinker, and writer who dazzles and rousts.” - Booklist
“[An] erudite and engaging collection… each overstuffed piece is an opportunity for meandering digression and fruitful association… The best essays transcend their subject matter, becoming works of literature in their own right… [Hass’s essays] fuse the poet’s love of language with the scholar’s interest in context, demonstrating the truth of Hass’s own claim that “the deepest response to a work of art is, in fact, another work of art.” - Publishers Weekly