****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I have read quite a few Haiku Manuals. I think this is the best one so far. I found it the most accessible, the easiest to understand, and the one that I most frequently return to for guidance. Strand takes a formal approach to Haiku, the approach taken by most English language Haiku poets. Strand writes, "The place to begin is counting syllables -- five-seven-five." This is so obvious, and yet it is missed by many of the other haiku manuals available. Strand continues, "Because haiku is so subtle, it is necessary to have some definite form. Otherwise, beginners will have no place to start, and experts will soon forget their beginner's mind . . ."The book is divided up into short, topical, chapters. Each chapter illuminates an aspect of haiku composition including seasons, haiku diary, how to read haiku, and broader subjects like faith and tea ceremony. Each chapter is somewhat self-contained and I find that I can go to a chapter and read it on its own. On the other hand, reading from cover to cover there is an overall flow and direction; the chapters are linked to each other and mutually illuminate each other.There is a lot of Zen in the book because the author, at the time of writing, was involved with Zen studies. If you are not a Zen person, this might be a little bit of a hindrance. But Strand acknowledges that one does not have to be a Zen person to compose haiku and the book contains haiku written, for example, by a Catholic Nun, and by others written at open workshops. And the specific suggestions Strand makes for composing haiku, beginning with counting, will be helpful to all, regardless of their spiritual outlook or religious commitments.The book contains numerous haiku, fine examples of the art of 5-7-5. For all those who are intrigued by haiku, but don't know how to begin, this book will be helpful. For all those who have some experience with haiku, this book will be helpful to you as well.
