Although I was not particularly interested in/compelled by Orr's discussion of the differences between lyric and dramatic lyric (the larger part of the book's first two sections), I would highly recommend _Richer Entanlements_ for the critical chapters on poets like Stanley Kunitz and Donald Hall as well as the later portions of the book where Orr considers his own poetics.

The first essay in the book "Four Temperments" was the highlight of the first half of the book. Orr suggests the a poet is motivated primarily by one of four impulses (story, structure, music, or imagination), and that the poet's success depends largely on how well he incorporates temperments not natural to his nature in order to balance the inherent predominace of one impulse or another.

The thoroughly enjoyed the essay on Kunitz as well. Orr was a student of Kuntiz's and has a wealth of insight into the his teacher's lifelong obsession with the son's search for the father. Orr's respect for his teacher and his appreciation of the poems is contagious, and I look forward to reading Orr's book on Kunitz this fall.

Overall _Richer Entanglements_ is one of the best books I've read in the Poets on Poetry series. Highly readable, interesting, and informative. ( )