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December 19, 2009

Advent Calendar: December 19th

Haiku If you enjoy reading haiku then you should really own a volume of the work of Basho.

If you enjoy writing haiku then The Haiku Handbook is essential reading.

It is a wonderful, unpretentious and enjoyable read offering remarkable insight into the form.

It also contains the finest ever explanation of why people write, read and enjoy haiku:

'It is hard to tell you how I am feeling. Perhaps if I share with you the event that made me aware of these feelings, you will have similar feelings of your own.'

Brilliant.

OK, so I accept you probably haven't got dozens of people on your Christmas list who would want this but perhaps it is something to treat yourself to with your inevitable book tokens.

The Haiku Handbook by William J. Higginson is published by Kodansha International. And as the snow has put me in a festive mood here is a quick haiku for you:

pausing in the snow

a robin, fresh from murder,

looks me in the eye

Posted at 12:01 AM in Advent Calendar, Books |

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Comments

added to my wishlist -- I'll get it after the holiday season. Thanks for the review.

Posted by: Rachel Green | December 19, 2009 at 08:54 AM

the book you write of
is perfect for me, and I
crave it for my own

... and need it, clearly! Sorry, Basho...

Posted by: Stephanie | December 20, 2009 at 09:32 AM

A great book, I agree. I had it on my shelf for years, but only read it last year. I gained so much from it, way more than mere technical advice. It somehow invites you to share the passion of reading or writing haiku, and in turn of experiencing the world in a slightly different way. And it's a great case of a book that's been around a while and not yet been surpassed.

Posted by: jem | January 27, 2010 at 04:09 PM

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