Name: The Anthologist
Rating: 3.875 (8 reviews)
ISBN: 9781416583974

Nicholson Baker

Paul Chowder is trying to write the introduction to a new anthology of rhyming verse, but he’s having a hard time getting started. The result of his fitful struggles is The Anthologist, Nicholson Baker’s brilliantly funny and exquisite love story about poetry. * * * A New York Times Notable Book, 2009 Favorite Fiction of 2009–Los Angeles Times Best Books of 2009–The Christian Science Monitor Best of 2009–Slate.com "A Year’s Reading" Favorites, 2009–The New Yorker Best Books of 2009–Seattle Times

A Novel

The Anthologist

While writing an introduction to a new poetry anthology, Paul Chowder struggles with the end of a relationship, his own stunted career, and the suffering of poets as varied as Tennyson and Roethke.

Amy Thibodeau

I can see how some people might have liked this. The writing is interesting as is the narrator's perspective. But liking this book really depends on liking the narrator and I couldn't stand him. He reminded me of a whinging ex-boyfriend. And so I couldn't enjoy this book. At all.

Donald

I enjoyed this novel immensely, even the ending.

Daryl Houston

I read this book only after accidentally reading its sequel (The Traveling Sprinkler) first. I loved the sequel and loved this one even more. Paul Chowder is a wonderful character, innocent and sweet and earnest but with the occasional hint of darkness; his voice is a real delight. All the bits about poetic scansion and history appealed to me and almost made me want to start reading poetry again; I don't know how broad the appeal of these parts could possibly be. I'll read this one again.

The Anthologist A Novel

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