Like her poems, the prose of Louise Glück is compressed, fierce, and alert. The force of her thought is evident everywhere in these 16 essays, from her explorations of other poets' work to her skeptical contemplation of current literary critical notions such as "sincerity" and "courage." This winner of winner of the PEN/Martha Albrand Award also contains the Nobel Laureate's revealing reflections on her own education and life as a poet, and a tribute to her teacher and mentor, Stanley Kunitz.

"Glück's prose is fine and pared but visionary…. Here and elsewhere Glück's brevity, clarity, and resolute independence are impressive."—Publishers Weekly