The Universe in Verse

Having spent a lifetime contemplating and exploring the universe, the nature of the infinite and time, our connections and consciousness, I find this a special and fascinating book. Inevitably, those of us who follow this trajectory and expand our minds and beings to explore what is will make varying discoveries and perhaps come to different conclusions (though I have yet to find a satisfactory end to anything), so it is always a pleasure to be given a window onto those of others. The Universe in Verse offers an exploration of the marriage between the poetic and scientific, the views and perspectives of both over time, in ways I am both familiar and unfamiliar with.
I found the feminist angle fascinating, something I was aware of but hadn’t quite pieced together in this way. I suspect philosophy, reality and science would be much further along had the voice of women been more welcome.
One new perspective to offer. Differing views of reality are described as a shifting plane, which is a perfectly fine way to describe it. However, the way it looks to me is like a multifaceted diamond, or a mirror ball, where each of us stands on one facet. The view from there, the way the light is reflected, will differ depending on where we find ourselves. To share what we are able to see from our standpoint will increase us all, but claiming our view is the only real one does the reverse. So thank you Maria for sharing your view and your light.
I enjoyed the pictures. My only complaint is that my preferred way of reading is on a Kindle, and this book was not available in that format. I hope that will be rectified at some point.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!

This is one of those books I want to own and have a copy off on my shelf and give to people I love. They truly do not make anthologies like this all that often; which is, to say, that it is absolutely wonderful.

Maria Popova has put together a beautiful collection of poems that are interesting and really good, and accompanied each with a concept to be explored. She herself, writes beautifully, like a poet writing prose, each word saturated with love. She reminds us of the beauty and imagination in science, a field that has often been called cold because of its focus on rationality.

I would put her in the company of some of my favourites like James Crews and William Seighart, and I can't wait for the next collection she puts together; although I should tell her that the bar is incredibly high now.

I would never recommend a poetry collection to my grandmother, who has much better taste than I do in literature, but this is one I would not hesitate to give her. I know that compliment might not mean much to someone, but it's the highest one I can give.

The illustrations by Ofra Amit were also a lovely touch!

A well deserved, and easy, 5 stars!

I have long been a fan of Maria Popova and this book is absolutely beautiful. I took my time reading it with devotion and as a devotional. The artwork is stunning. The histories and threads that tie together our world through poetry is breath-taking. I can't wait to purchase this for holiday gifts.

A truly stunning book within such an original concept.

Illustration. Context. Poem.

Each poem is preceded by it's context within the wider universe, that which ties us to the poem in question. We read about the universe in all it's glory, which follows stunning illustrations which represents both the context and the poem.

A beautiful gift for a lover of art, the universe and poetry.

I absolutely adore this combination of history, science, and literature. Each poem is precluded by a short bit of scientific history and the following poem relates to that branch or era of science. It's a lovely book that really pulled me in. As a scientist, this is a beautiful book.

This short collection is a beautiful reflection of the vastness of the world around us from various elements of nature and into the cosmos. The combination of art and science creates a wonderful transitional space to explore these ideas through a softer lens. It is always a joy to learn beloved authors have a background in sciences and see how this can influence their works. I particularly enjoyed learning more about women in sciences throughout the years; they are often not household names but their contributions to their respective fields cannot be understated.

I loved the short introductions that provided context for each poem; I found them incredibly helpful and enabled a deeper connection to each piece. I also thought the illustrations were a lovely touch throughout the anthology.

I knew I would love this book as soon as I read the beautiful dedication
“For Emily, who returned her borrowed stardust to the universe far too soon.”

There’s a line in the book which describe humans as “Small awestruck creatures with vast complex consciousness.” Which I found so beautiful. I remember first learning about the golden disc and how we are all made of stardust and how emotional it made me. This book perfectly encapsulates those feelings.

This is a love letter to the universe itself!

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

A beautiful anthology with lovely illustrations, poetry, and delightful essays. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am so happy to have received a preview of this book. I plan to order a copy of this book for myself and family members who also love space and poetry.

I loved every second of reading this! This collection brought so many concepts to light for me that I never gave much thought to before, and I learned a lot of new information, especially about the contributions of specific women in science, mathematics, and astronomy.

Each of the 15 segments is about a different topic and includes a sort of prelude to a poem of the same topic. The introductions give some background on the concepts themselves (from things like black holes to radioactivity to octopi) and connects those concepts to the poem it introduces. I found myself wanting more from the parts that preceded the poems, wanting to know more about each concept, but I had to remind myself they really are just serving as introductions.

I don't really have anything negative to say besides that I wish it were longer and included more "portals"! This concept is so unique.

Maria Popova's "The Universe In Verse" is a luminous anthology that beautifully interlaces the realms of science, poetry, and art. This book is a testament to the profound interconnectedness of these disciplines, each essay and poem reflecting the wonder of the universe and our place within it.

Poetry and science are instruments for knowing the world more intimately and loving it more deeply. This sentiment sets the tone for the entire collection, which consists of 15 short essays exploring a diverse array of scientific topics. From the enigmatic allure of dark matter and the infinite nature of pi to the remarkable resilience of fauna and the extraordinary intelligence of octopuses, each essay delves into the mysteries of our world with curiosity and reverence.

What makes "The Universe In Verse" truly exceptional is Popova's focus on the human stories behind scientific discoveries. Many of the scientists featured are women who have historically been underrecognized for their contributions. Their narratives are woven seamlessly with the broader themes of the essays, providing a deeply personal and poignant perspective on scientific exploration.

Each essay is thoughtfully paired with a poem that echoes its subject, penned by renowned poets such as Emily Dickinson, W. H. Auden, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Maya Angelou, Diane Ackerman, and Tracy K. Smith. Like a good wine and cheese, this pairing creates a rich dialogue between the analytical and the lyrical, enhancing the reader's appreciation of both the science and the poetry.

The illustrations by celebrated artist Ofra Amit are nothing short of stunning. Rendered in limited or monochrome palettes of reds and blues, they complement the text with a subtle elegance, adding an extra layer of beauty to the reading experience. The visuals are not merely decorative but are integral to the book's ability to evoke a sense of wonder and awe.

"The Universe In Verse" is a love letter to all the things that matter—science, art, poetry, and the human spirit. It is a lyrical melding of disciplines that awakens the reader to a reality aglow with wonder. The collection is a beautiful, wonderful, somber, and hopeful thing all at once, capturing the complexity and richness of our universe and the ongoing quest to understand it.

This anthology is more than just a book; it is an experience that leaves the reader feeling enlightened and inspired. Maria Popova has masterfully curated a work that not only informs but also moves the soul, making "The Universe In Verse" an essential read for anyone who cherishes the beauty of knowledge and the poetry of existence.

A superb collection of poems and essays that meditate on the endless awe within this universe. Maria Popova carefully spins words around the selected poems giving them a broader context, and Ofra Amit’s illustrations make this book dazzling to the eyes, not only the heart & mind. A book to hold & to gift!

A wonderful mix of poetry, science, and art.

Each poem has an introduction to set the context, which adds meaning to the poems. The collection itself is diverse and includes a mix of traditional and contemporary poetry. The addition of the artwork is masterful.

I plan to purchase a hard copy of the book to treasure forever.

Fifteen science concepts pithily explained in clear, clean prose followed by a related and beautiful poem. The poetry was perfectly matched to its concept and lesser known gems were included as well as pieces by more famous authors.

I loved how the collection was curated, as well as the deceptively simple but gorgeous illustrations. An unusual and beautiful addition to any poetry selection.

I love books with themes and this was a great read because it focused on the interrelationship between poetry and science, and had beautiful illustrations by the Israeli artist Omar Afrit. I received a Kindle version of the book to review from Netgalley, and I only wish I had the hardback copy because I would have enjoyed the illustrations more.

I am speechless. This is by far the most beautiful book of poetry I've ever read.

I would try to purchase a physical copy when it's out.

This was a unique collection of poems, chosen to pair with scientific discoveries and challenges, well chosen and curated

Science - and the universe - have a lot in common with art and philosophy. The study of the universe is all about asking questions in order to understand how the universe works (even though there are far more questions than we will likely ever have answers for). But we still seek to study and understand the world around us and the stars above us.

In art - in all the forms that it takes but in this book specifically poetry - we also seek to observe and describe the unknown. To put to words the deepest questions we have about life and what it means to be made of stardust.

The Universe in Verse by Maria Popova (with absolutely gorgeous illustrations by Ofra Amit) is a series of essays on elements of scientific discovery and history, linked to poems that expound upon the ideas that science has brought forward. The combination of the two forms of writing gives a new perspective on how discoveries are made and understood by the world. Popova’s own writing is elegant and philosophical, bringing a sense of deep wonder to topics that often remind us of how small we are as people compared to the vastness of the space that surrounds us. It also reminds us of how much nature and the universe itself are works of art that have arisen from cosmic soup.

This book, this collection of stories, history, and ideas, is a reminder to take a moment and embrace wonder, possibility, and change. It is also a reminder that art and science and our base desires to understand the universe are intricately intertwined and exist together as a way to describe the world around us. There is art in the universe, and the universe is art, and this book is a beautiful testament to that duality.