Sounding the Seasons: Seventy sonnets for Christian year

I’ve been reading Malcolm and everything he has written for some time. My encouragement is for you to do the same.

This sonnet sequence is a major literary achievement - it is powerful on every level, from the individual sonnets (which are marvelous) to the arc of the whole sequence, in which the seventy sonnets are part of one deeply moving whole.Each of the seventy individual sonnets shows Guite's tremendous gifts as a poet: clear, fresh language and vivid images that carry, on re-reading, more and more levels of meaning. These are poems that are delightful on the first read and get better on every re-reading. Part of Guite's gift is his ability to write with total honesty about pain and sorrow (the "Stations of the Cross" sequence is worth the price of the book by itself) in such a way as to go through, not around, the darkness. Because of this honesty, Guite's sonnets that express themes of hope and joy are authentic and moving. There isn't a false word or shallow sentiment anywhere to be found here.The achievement of the whole is much more than the sum of the parts. These poems originally appeared in draft form on Malcolm Guite's blog; in Sounding the Seasons, they have been re-arranged, selected, and in many cases substantially revised to create a powerful sequence as a whole. The structure and sequencing of Sounding the Seasons amplifies and deepens the effect of each individual sonnet, as it is read in context with the others.The book also contains an interesting introductory essay by Guite in which he discusses the literary forerunners of the sonnet sequence, and discusses his aims in writing poetry that is both richly meaningful and accessible to the ordinary reader, as well as various useful appendices such as an index of Scriptural references.Sounding the Seasons is, in short, not to be missed.

I received this book from a dear friend years ago and bought another copy for my friend overseas. It arrived at her place in good condition and she loves it!

These beautiful poems contain deep insights into the human search for God and God's divine ability to know humans, as well as His divine desire to commune with humans. Malcolm Guite "turns" his poems in ways that are both unexpected and true. Each poem needs many re-readings to fully appreciate the depth and insight.

Malcolm Guite is a gifted poet. More than that, he is a man who understands truth and grace, law and gospel, and repentance and faith. You will come away from these sonnets, as I did, with a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of God in Christ Jesus. You will come back to these sonnets, time and again, for spiritual refreshment. I thank Malcolm Guite for his work, and hope that we see more of his poetry in the future.

Sonnets celebrating the Christian year go back at least to John Donne's "La Corona". Guite's cycle of meditative, celebratory poems owes much to Donne, to Herbert, and to the examples of other great Christian poets. I recommend this collection to anyone who likes traditional verse on Christian themes, or who aspires to write in sonnet form. It has the potential to teach much about writing poetry, to enhance private devotion, and to enrich public liturgy.

This has been a wonderful aid to my devotional time. The sonnets help me to slow down and focus, to settle my mind. The pictures Malcolm paints with words take me to the heart of the subject.

Guite is the John Donne of our time. He uses the traditional form of the sonnet as a seamless sphere for profound spirituality. Under his pen, the traditional rotation of the Christian year is examined, held to the light, and its facets revealed. These sonnets serve well as personal meditations and as spoken word pieces for corporate worship.

A year ago one of the ministers in our church introduced us to Malcolm Guite's poetry.It is powerful and thoughtful and we have used the poems occasionally as a substitute for a sermon or homily.I think they do not always give answers but provoke us to examine our own feelings and reactions.This selection takes us through the church year, thus has a great deal of use in an Anglican setting although I see no reason why they might not be used in other traditions.He has also written an excellent introduction to Christianity "What do Christians Believe?" which I have noticed in searchign for this book.Strongly recommended.

I am a church minister and based my Stations of the Cross this year on these wonderful sonnets.

Whether a 'believer' or not, these poems illuminate the ground where human existence encounters Divine Love. That ground may be rocky and tearstained: Malcolm Guite's work therefore approaches it with compassion and forensic assessment. The sonnet form for the poems is a method of pain-management, making the unbearable bearable enough to be examined and reflected upon. All this might sound too elevated to be attractive: instead, the craftsmanship of George Herbert meets the radicalism of Wordsworth. These poems are acceptable to all intellects, and can move all hearts.Why do I make such a claim? Well, I heard a section of them performed in a large public venue recently: grown men and co-performers wept. And went away feeling enriched and respectful.The volume is quite slim and travels well. If 'reflective time' matters to you, take it with you.

Malcolm Guite's material was recommended by a friend. I am not disappointed. It's amazing: a real find.

I am not normally a poetry-lover and bought this book for a colleague and therefore looked at it. The themes, the pictures evoked, the thoughts brought to mind and the insights it gave are wonderful and I heartily recommend it for personal use, for meditation and reflection and possibly for a small group. A wealth of resources.