Podcast Summary: The Book Review – "A.O. Scott on the Joy of Close Reading Poetry"

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host: Gilbert Cruz
Guest: Tony Scott, Critic

Introduction

In the June 20, 2025 episode of The Book Review podcast, hosted by Gilbert Cruz, the conversation centers around the art of poetry and its accessibility to a broader audience. The episode features Tony Scott, a seasoned critic from The New York Times Book Review, who delves into his monthly "close read" series on poetry and discusses a collaborative project aimed at helping readers memorize poetry.

Tony Scott on Poetry Close Reading

The Genesis of the Close Reading Series

Tony Scott begins by explaining the organic development of the close reading project. Instead of launching with a preachy agenda about the importance of poetry, he opted for a more inviting approach:

“We didn't start out thinking people should read more poetry... I wanted to persuade people that poetry was actually fun and accessible and interesting...”
(01:52)

This strategy aimed to demystify poetry, making it approachable and emotionally engaging rather than intimidating.

Structure and Approach

Scott outlines the structure of his monthly poetry close reads, emphasizing brevity and accessibility:

“These are not long pieces, and they're not long poems. And just read it with us and see what you think.”
(05:10)

Each session presents a short poem accompanied by a beautiful illustration, followed by a two-pass reading:

1. First Pass: Focuses on immediate impressions—rhymes, alliteration, rhythm, and the poem’s apparent meaning.
2. Second Pass: Introduces subtle nuances and surprises that deepen the reader's emotional and intellectual connection to the poem.

“There’s something about seeing that photograph and you've just read a kind of a description of it... And that somehow unlocked the power of that poem...”
(07:30)

Reader Engagement and Feedback

Scott shares insights into the positive reception of his approach:

“Readers were saying, give us more of this. Give us more of this.”
(14:29)

The interactive nature of his pieces fosters a community where readers feel comfortable sharing diverse interpretations and emotional responses.

Collaborative Criticism and Digital Integration

Transitioning from traditional criticism, Scott describes a collaborative process with designers like Eliza Alfred, who enhance the reading experience through visual effects:

“Eliza turns it into these beautiful, surprising, very witty visual effects...”
(11:02)

This partnership ensures that the critical analysis complements the poem's emotional resonance without overwhelming it.

Impact on Personal Perspective

Engaging in close readings has transformed Scott's approach to poetry:

“It's really a democratic form. Language is something that we all have... I'm reading more and more widely, and I think less driven by my own tastes...”
(17:22)

This shift underscores the universal potential of poetry to bridge diverse experiences and perspectives.

The Poetry Challenge Project

Gilbert Cruz introduces a significant project evolved from Scott's close readings—a week-long poetry challenge focused on memorizing Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Recuerdo."

“It's a five days, five articles... You should do it.”
(13:11)

Scott reflects on the project's success, highlighting how it offered readers a meaningful respite from daily stresses through the rhythmic practice of memorization.

“Memorization was definitely a key to it... And that has no particular use. It's just for its own sake.”
(17:09)

Participants found solace and a sense of accomplishment, often sharing their memorized poems with others, fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for poetry.

Greg Coles’ Poetry Recommendations

Later in the episode, Greg Coles, the poetry editor at The New York Times Book Review, shares four recent poetry collections he highly recommends.

1. New and Collected Hell by Shane McCrae

McCrae's collection presents an allegorical vision of hell, blending satire with intense emotional and social commentary.

“There’s some corporate satire here, there’s some political satire... He writes with a lot of beat, a lot of meter.”
(22:56)

The poems navigate a phantasmagorical landscape, reflecting McCrae's personal and societal struggles.

2. Ominous Music Intensifying by Alexandra Teague

Teague's anxious yet hopeful collection intertwines American mythologies with personal reflections, balancing dark themes with humor.

“It is a book that is outraged at what it sees in the country, but it also is a book that really believes in America and what it can accomplish.”
(24:49)

Her work captures the tension between criticism and faith in societal progress.

3. Ecstasy by Alex Dimitrov

Dimitrov celebrates youth and vitality through vivid depictions of the New York social scene, infused with elements of dance, sex, and nostalgia.

“Walking toward it on 29th I unbutton my coat in the wind and light a cigarette easily... It makes me feel like, yeah, I'd trade wisdom for youth.”
(28:34)

The collection exudes a frenetic energy, reflecting the pulsating life of the city.

4. New and Selected Poems by Marie Howe

A Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, Howe's poems find the sacred in the mundane, exploring deep personal grief and spiritual yearning with crystalline prose.

“What the living do... We want the spring to come and the winter to pass. We want whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss... I am living.”
(32:15)

Her work is both an intimate exploration of personal loss and a universal meditation on existence.

Conclusion

The episode of The Book Review offers a profound exploration of poetry's accessibility and its capacity to evoke deep emotional responses. Through Tony Scott's innovative close readings and Greg Coles' curated recommendations, listeners are invited to engage with poetry in meaningful and transformative ways.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Tony Scott on Making Poetry Accessible:
  “We didn't start out thinking people should read more poetry... I wanted to persuade people that poetry was actually fun and accessible and interesting...”
  (01:52)

• Impact of Memorization Project:
  “Memorization was definitely a key to it... And that has no particular use. It's just for its own sake.”
  (17:09)

• Greg Coles on Shane McCrae's Collection:
  “There’s some corporate satire here, there’s some political satire... He writes with a lot of beat, a lot of meter.”
  (22:56)

For more insights and detailed discussions on the world of books and poetry, subscribe to The Book Review podcast on nytimes.com/podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.