Burt's recent book of critical essays about poetry, Close Calls with Nonsense (Graywolf Press, 2009) was cited for its "sunny generosity" by Graeme Richardson in a TLS review which also noted his contrast in style with William Logan: "...the criticism is never quite as lacerating as Logan's and is never done for effect." Or this: "He likes formalists such as Wilbur and James Merrill, but also L-A-N-G-U-A-G-E poets like Armantrout, and oddities of no school like Paul Muldoon."
To get used to his Midwestern American accent, listen to him explain how rap music relates to Alexander Pope in a podcast for the Poetry Foundation, "Alexander Pope as Home Boy" (July 9, 2007).
Links
The Blacksmith House Poetry Series (www.ccae.org/events/blacksmith.html).
Graeme Richardson, "There she is," review of Burt, Close Calls with Nonsense, TLS (April 23, 2010) 24-25.
Stephen Burt, Close Calls with NONSENSE, A Poetry Blog (www.closecallswithnonsense.com).
