I wasn't sure what to make of the book. It felt like a partially written thesis. I almost connected with the protagonist but not really. I didn't get to see a whole person, it felt like a structured account of one person, with partial truths. I wish there was a better account of the person in the book. The book was missing the essence that ties a good book together. The stories were awkwardly thrown in every now making it seem like an essay.
I finished the book only because I had gotten it on NetGalley, but I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.

Joy is not just essential for life. It is crucial. Imagine a life without joy. It would be meaningless. For all the wonderful things we can say about this fascinating and needful emotion to have, people still feel conflicted about what it means, especially for them. Editor Christian Wiman notices this in her introduction to the book of poems. While dictionary definitions provide a starting clue about what joy is, truth is, joy is more than a definition. It is an intimate part of life that could be elusive to many, but highly sought after. It could not be scientifically manufactured lest the product comes forth as artificial. Even the word 'faith' needs healing before seekers can actually enter into a deeper comprehension of it. Truth is, joy can be found in more places than mere ecstasy or human happiness. It does not appear in one long climax but manifests itself in unique moments of life. Poetry is a powerful way to examine and experience these precious moments. Dictionaries can highlight the academic meaning of joy, but poetry tills it, massages it, evokes its essence in ways that typical prose and scientific manuals cannot do. Frogs jump for joy without even having to make an indepth study of their leaping experience. It comes in expectancy of freedom like a moth ready to take its first flight. It can be like a grand return to home after a long and weary expedition. It is a "catalyst" that leads us to other things, such as seeing life with a more positive viewpoint. Sometimes, joy is not simply described but played out through music. People sing and shout out loud.


So far reaching is the element of joy that there are instances which, surprisingly, involves joy. Things like pain may seem strange to be included in this anthology of poems about joy. It speaks of the reality of life, that amid the struggle of pain and brokenness, there is hope that keeps us alive and kicking. That is irony that keeps us grounded, lest we start manufacturing artificial future that would diminish true joy. With irony comes contrast where we see joy more clearly when we are able to contrast with what it is not. I like what Jurgen Moltmann wrote:

"We don't accuse God because there is suffering in the world. Rather, we protest in the name of God against suffering and those who cause it."

Brutality, wars, conflicts, and dissent are prevalent in many societies. Acknowledging their existence makes us authentic. Recognizing that they are not an end it themselves make us hopeful.

There is also the poet factor, where joy is carefully connected with a person. An interesting thought is about how joy is achieved when we "lose ourselves," such as the joy of a grandparent seeing the birth of a grandchild; or some religious moments of bliss in prayer or worship. Children have that natural propensity to be happy about little things. Like bees that fly gleefully to a pretty flower pregnant with nectar, kids see life with candy shop lens. Perhaps that is something about being little children that Jesus was talking about in the gospels. In the poems, readers will learn about seeing joy as meaning, when people understand a certain answer to a puzzle, or a moment of delight that comes when things finally fall in place. Joy is also not something that is the goal of life. It lurks in many places just like WiFi signals that pop up at every corner of the city sidewalks. It helps us be bold about journeying to places we have never gone before; adventures that would never happen if we do not step out of our comfort zones. It is food for the soul and fuel for life. In a book that seeks less arguments and more experience, Wiman invites many different contributors to illuminate the many hidden places where joy happens.

Whether one is walking along the canal; celebrating a special holiday; reflecting on a poem; looking at birds or smelling the flowers; even observing the crowds of people gathered at various places; there is something for everyone, if we do not stop looking. This skill or discernment as some may prefer, can only be gradually picked up. The hurried reader who skims this book will be disappointed. The scholar who seeks to mine this book of gems may find a few precious thoughts. However, it is the patient and reflective reader, who would be blessed with a mentality of "less is more," allowing any one poem to speak truth about life and the clues that lead to moments of joy.

Three Thoughts
First, this book is not a self-help manual to help us be joyful people by giving us five, six, or seven habits to happiness. If readers were to look for answers to their own search for joy, they would be found wanting and disappointed because this book is not about fulfilling our personal needs for happiness. Other books may present some self-help guidance, but not this book. For this book is for the patient reader who simply wants to enjoy the works of others, without prejudgment, without condescension, but pure acceptance. I find myself initially looking for some kind of framework to classify each poem. That was not to be found, which is exactly what life is about. There is no way we could design our own lives to feel a spectrum of emotions like a well-crafted story. Emotions by themselves are not caged by human frameworks. More often than not, it is the other way round. Emotions determine the reactions to our individual contexts.

Second, the way to read this book is to come alongside the writers and to swim the thoughts of each contributor. With imagination and openness, we allow ourselves to enter the story through the words. We pause when necessary. We may skim at times, or even stop reading altogether. Stay with the poem and allow the poem to stay with us. Perhaps, readers can also think of the poems like lyrics to a song. They may not understand the actual picture until they sing it over and over again. Like stanzas leading up to the chorus, the poems do challenge us to be led to our individual choruses of delight. This calls for humility.

Finally, do not be discouraged about words or phrases we don't understand. Appreciate those verses that do ring something in our heads or hearts. As we join the dots, we might felt led toward places we have never thought about before. Life is about simple things and this book demonstrates this clearly through many everyday examples. Along the way, there is a good chance that readers themselves would be quietly equipped to do the same, and perhaps expand this book beyond its 320 pages with our individual stories of search for joy and healing, as we traverse this world. Powerful book!

Christian Wiman is an American poet who served as editor or "Poetry" magazine for 10 years. He explores life and spirituality through poems. He has taught at Stanford University, Northwestern University, Lynchburg College, and Yale Divinity School.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Yale University Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

I enjoyed reading this anthology of poetry which all have the theme of Joy. Although I read a Kindle version, it would make a great coffee table book as it’s one I will undoubtably go back to time and time again.
Christian Wiman has written a wonderful introduction to the 100 poems which includes consideration of what constitutes joy and uses examples of some of the poems from the anthology to demonstrate this. I particularly enjoyed reading the latter since it includes Christian’s interpretations of the poet’s intentions (which was very helpful for someone who does not read poetry very often and has not formerly studied the art form for over 20 years).
I loved so many of the poems Christian selected for his collection, a couple of my particular favourites included Norman Maccaig, ‘One of the Many Days’ and Maria Hummel, ‘Station’ (in a months time I will probably have another couple of favourites - such is my relationship with poetry!).
It would have been perfect for me if it had had the dates the poems were published next to the poems - especially as Christian states in the introduction that he chose the selection, with a couple of exceptions, to explore what Joy meant for the poets at this moment in history. NB I read an advance uncorrected proof of the book so the dates may have been added in the hardback/ or any current Kindle version.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Christian Wiman wants to explore through poetry the meaning, or perhaps rather our understanding, of Joy. He wants the reader to feel what joy is through his chosen poems in order to gain that understanding. He does not give definitive meanings. Opening the book with his comments on how difficult it is to define Joy.

I was attracted to this book because of that word – Joy. It’s a favourite of mine, it makes me smile. Yes a three letter word makes me smile. There are other words that do this too. Also I like poetry and don’t read enough of it. So there I am hooked.

And this book is full of poetry. Poetry that is expected to evoke joy. Well some of it did for me, not all of it because well we can’t connect with every poem in the way we’re supposed to simply because some just won’t resonate as others do. That’s not to say that they aren’t good, or that we don’t enjoy them on a different level just that they did not all evoke joy for me. You will read it and perhaps find all encompassing joy or, like me, experience some joy. It may be with the same poems or different poems. I hope you do find joy among these pages.

3.5/4*

With thanks to Yale University Books for this e-ARC via NetGalley

what a wonderful book to read. It made me realize that people have their own definitions of joy. I, even have one. :)) thank you the publisher for providing me an ARC copy to review.:)

I absolutely loved the concept of this book - Christian Wiman is absolutely correct in his assertion that there isn't enough written about joy within literature, something I've often wondered about myself; my academic background is literature and a lot of what I studied was pretty miserable!

To counterbalance this, Wiman has collected 100 modern poems about joy. The best of these are really lovely, evoking moments of pure happiness which occasionally strike when you least expect.

However, I did struggle a little with Wiman's commentary in places - his prose is quite dense and I wished he'd let the poems do the talking a bit more.

Overall, a lovely collection of poems and a great idea for a book. Well worth a dip into to discover some modern poetry to give you a little lift.

Deep and warm, these poems are profound and cheerful.

I needed this in my life. I read this book while living in the post-apocalyptic reality that is post-Hurricane-María Puerto Rico. Wilman's collection of poems about joy lifted my spirits at a time when it was sorely needed.

There is no better view into someone's soul, no better connection with all of humanity than by reading poetry (in my humble opinion).

Wiman presents a nice anthology of 100 poems based on joy. How wonderful to have such a book to curl up with in a quiet place and absorb!

If you enjoy poetry, this will make a good addition to your collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Yale University Press for sending me an e-copy of this book!



Joy
100 Poems

by Christian Wiman

Yale University Press

Poetry
Pub Date 07 Nov 2017


I am reviewing a copy of Joy through Yale University Press and Netgalley:
In this collection poet Christian Wiman has compiled a collection of modern poetry dealing with Joy. A subject matter he feels is often neglected in modern literature.
This anthology is a collection of Joy Poems by poets who were join during or after modernism.
Despite the title of this collection Joy deals with many aspects of life, not only Joy but sorrow and many other emotions.

This collection includes poems from poets ranging from Emily Dickinson, to Sylvia Plath and Wendell Berry, the works in this collection are thought provoking and diverse

I give Joy five out of five stars:

Happy Reading: