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Little Alleluias

Collected Poetry and Prose

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Pub Date Sep 09 2025 | Archive Date Oct 09 2025

Description

An archival compendium of three complete works by Mary Oliver: the book-length poem The Leaf and the Cloud, the collection What Do We Know, and essays from Long Lifewith a foreword by fellow Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Postcolonial Love Poem Natalie Diaz.

For the many admirers of Mary Oliver's breathtaking poetry of touch and transcendence, as well as for those coming to her words for the first time, Little Alleluias is a revelation.

These works observe, search, pause, astonish, and give thanks to both love and the natural world. In constant conversation with the sublime, (i.e. "Are you afraid? / Somewhere a thousand swans are flying / through winter's worst storm."), Oliver has the rare skill of rendering life: her poems and essays bring movement to stillness, and people to the Earth, themselves, and each other. Page by page, she invites us to walk through her minutes, her moments, and revere the light and dark and rainbowed clothes of world alongside her.

With three distinct books collected in one volume for the first time, Little Alleluias asks what passes and what persists, and offers readers the peace that every mind deserves.
 
“Hers is a purposeful language, one that looks not just with attention but with sensual intention, and though awestruck, seeks to hold, even briefly, the unknowns of the energies that make any life. Little alleluias, she called her writings. Not meant to define but to praise, to rejoice in the maker and what has been made, to dare be heard as a whisper or a shout in this immense world.”—Natalie Diaz, in her Foreword
An archival compendium of three complete works by Mary Oliver: the book-length poem The Leaf and the Cloud, the collection What Do We Know, and essays from Long Lifewith a foreword by fellow...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780306835810
PRICE $23.99 (USD)
PAGES 256

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Average rating from 19 members


Featured Reviews

What is there really to say except it's Mary Oliver. The GOAT. It's perfect. Read more Mary Oliver and you'll feel better. Doctors should prescribe her more. Not therapists. Like actual doctors. You go to the emergency room with a broken leg or stuffy nose and they're like "hey, here's a mary oliver poem." and it wont fix everything in that moment, but down the road it will.

Thanks for the ARC.

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OMG. How incredible.

I am a lover of nature writing and poetry, so I expected to love this given what I've heard of Mary Oliver before. I was still pretty blown away by this collection. It's amazing how she can consider the beautiful and poetic nature of an animal or plant and then perfectly describe every little piece of it in such a heartwarming yet brutal way. She uses her words like weapons.

I was very impressed by this book.

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I recommend this collection most highly. I absolutely adore Mary Oliver’s deeply thoughtful, and incredibly moving poetry.

In this collection, readers can spend time engaging with both Oliver’s poetry and prose. They will be the better for it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this title. All thoughts are my own.

Note: Oliver’s poetry is very accessible. No deep scholarship required.

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This poetry collection is a beautiful tapestry of emotion, insight, and vivid imagery. Each poem resonates with honesty and a unique voice that invites deep reflection. The themes explore the human experience with both grace and power, making every page feel meaningful. A truly inspiring and moving collection that lingers long after reading.

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A deeply emotional collection of poems. You truly feel the beauty and emotion in her words. Incredible observations of the natural world, intermingled with her feelings. This collection truly makes you stop, and take a moment to observe and sit with the life that is happening all around us every day.

Reading the works of Mary Oliver is a kind of meditation. Her profound observations give you no choice but to take a breath, clear your mind, and be grateful to be human.

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This is a very nice collection. Mary Oliver’s poetry is so beautiful, tender and reverent. Multiple lines made me sigh because they are so lovely. I enjoyed reading her prose, too. I think the only people who would not enjoy this are people who don’t like poetry and people who already own the same collections (The Leaf and the Cloud, Long Life, and What Do We Know). Anyone who enjoys poetry about nature, the deeper questions of life, and taking joy in the simple pleasures will love this collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. I will post this review on Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram within one week of publication.

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