On Purpose by Nick Laird

This is a great series of poems. I did not know much about Laird when I picked this book up–the plug on the back by Eggers was enough for me.

I really liked the general dynamics of this poetry and the diversity of poems that I found within–Laird is much more then a one noted beast like a lot of the poets I seem to be reading these days–lots of emotional sophistication, humor, and really good writing. Totally enjoyed everything about this. I would love to see him stretch out more in some longer verse.

Also, the section on marriage, based on the Art of War was really good–it was not the marriage of the New Yorker, the quiet desperation and lack of creativity–rather, it was a growing living marriage that he was fighting.

A very good book of poems.