This book is fascinating, readable and helpful to someone (like me) who is frequently mystified by poetry. The author explains things brilliantly so you don't feel: 'That's fine for her but I'm never going to be able to understand this by myself.' She introduces concepts, gives examples and uses poems to illustrate in context. However, her interpretations of the poems are not phrased as closed or definitive. They are framed as discussions - questioning and exploratory - so you feel you are being taken on a thought-journey with her.