100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

New on the blog! πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japanese Healing Fiction & β˜• The Perfect Winter Reads

The Ode Less Travelled

A guide to writing poetry
4.06 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 3,927 ratings, 370 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry is a delightful exploration into the art of writing poetry. The book provides a hands-on guide to understanding various poetic forms and techniques, accompanied by Fry's witty commentary and accessible instructions. It's perfect for both novices and seasoned poets looking to refine their craft with practical exercises and engaging insights.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
Elsewhere:
$2800
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have an interest in poetry and wish to uncover its joys and complexities with the guidance of a witty and insightful author. Stephen Fry offers an engaging approach to understanding and writing poetry, making it accessible and enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Whether you want to write a Petrarchan sonnet for your lover's birthday, an epithalamion for your sister's wedding or a villanelle excoriating the government's housing policy, this book gives you the tools and the confidence to do so with enjoyable exercises, insights and simple step-by-step advice.

Stephen Fry's THE ODE LESS TRAVELLED provides us with a witty and entertaining guide to the mysteries of writing poetry.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Travelled provides us with a witty and entertaining guide to the mysteries of writing poetry.

If you can speak and read English, you can write poetry.

The trick is knowing where to start. Stephen Fry, who has long written poems, and indeed has written long poems, for his own private pleasure, invites you to discover the incomparable delights of metre, rhyme and verse forms.

Whether you want to write a Petrarchan sonnet for your lover's birthday, an epithalamion for your sister's wedding or a villanelle excoriating the government's housing policy, The Ode Less Travelled will give you the tools and the confidence to do so.

Brimful of enjoyable exercises, witty insights and simple step-by-step advice, The Ode Less Travelled guides the reader towards mastery and confidence in the Mother of the Arts.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Travelled is praised as an engaging and humorous guide to writing poetry. Critics admire Fry's deep familiarity with various poetic forms and his infectious enthusiasm. The book is noted for its wit, educational value, and Fry's approachable teaching style, making it both informative and entertaining.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099509349

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 September 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Arrow Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 264g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He rose to fame alongside Hugh Laurie in A Bit of Fry and Laurie (which he co-wrote with Laurie) and Jeeves and Wooster, and was unforgettable as General Melchett in Blackadder. He has hosted over 180 episodes of QI, and has narrated all seven of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook recordings. He is the bestselling author of four novels - The Stars' Tennis Balls, Making History, The Hippopotamus and The Liar - as well as three volumes of autobiography - Moab is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me. Mythos and Heroes, his retelling of the Greek myths, are both Sunday Times bestsellers.

Also by Stephen Fry

View all
  • Odyssey
    The epic final chapter to Stephen Fry's outstanding retellings of the Greek Myths. Troy has fallen. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own lands - but what homes now await them? Agamemnon must return to his wife Clytemnestra, who has been nursing her rage since he sacrificed their daughter to the gods for...
    Paperback
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mythos
    Mythos by Stephen Fry is a compelling retelling of the classic Greek myths, reimagined with a wit and elegance that only Fry can deliver. This volume transports the reader to a world where mortals intertwine with the divine, and the timeless tales unfold in a spellbinding narrative that captures the imagination. From the cosmogonyβ€”the birth of the cosmosβ€”to the exploits...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Heroes
    Heroes by Stephen Fry is an enthralling journey into the heart of ancient Greek mythology, brought to life with Fry's signature wit and intelligence. This dazzling companion volume to the bestselling Mythos recounts the breath-taking exploits of some of the most legendary figures in Greek lore, showcasing the timeless tales of bravery, cunning, and adventure. In Fry's masterful retelling, readers...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Troy
    The city of Troy has long been a beacon of legend and myth, and in Stephen Fry's Troy, the timeless story of love and war is brought to life with a vivid blend of wit, insight, and meticulous detail. At its heart is the kidnapping of Helen, a queen whose beauty is so enchanting that her abduction by Paris of...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Odyssey
    The epic final chapter to Stephen Fry's outstanding retellings of the Greek Myths. Troy has fallen. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own landsβ€”but what homes now await them? Agamemnon must return to his wife Clytemnestra, who has been nursing her rage since he sacrificed their daughter to the gods for a favourable...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Moab Is My Washpot
    The original bestselling autobiography by the comedian, novelist, and national treasure, Stephen Fry. Few people serve time in prison before studying at Cambridge. You might be surprised to know that Stephen Fry is one of them. Moab Is My Washpot, the remarkable story of Stephen Fry's tumultuous early life, is by turns funny, shocking, tender, delicious, sad, lyrical, bruisingly frank,...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mythos
    The myths we all love from Stephen Fry's bestselling Mythos now return in a brand new and achingly beautiful illustrated edition. The Greek myths are amongst the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists from Shakespeare to Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. These...
    Hardback
    $9500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Political Correctness Gone Mad?
    Political Correctness Gone Mad? explores the contentious debate surrounding political correctness, free speech, and the power dynamics within society. This compelling discussion features diverse viewpoints from renowned thinkers Michael Eric Dyson, Jordan B. Peterson, Michelle Goldberg, and Stephen Fry. "Without free speech there is no true thought." – Jordan Peterson "You’re telling me I’m being sensitive, and students looking for...
    Paperback
    $1899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Fry Chronicles
    National Treasure - noun - someone or something regarded as emblematic of a nation's cultural heritage, such as Stephen Fry (OED 2010) Spanning 1979-1987, The Fry Chronicles charts Stephen's arrival at Cambridge up to his thirtieth birthday. 'Heartbreaking, a delight, a lovely, comfy book' - The Times 'Perfect prose and excruciating honesty. A grand reminiscence of college and theatre and...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • More Fool Me
    National Treasure - noun - someone or something regarded as emblematic of a nation's cultural heritage, such as Stephen Fry (OED 2010). Stephen Fry invites readers to take a glimpse at his life story in the unputdownable More Fool Me. It is a heady tale of the late Eighties and early Nineties, in which Stephen - ever more driven to...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Fry's Ties
    A witty, illustrated ode to Stephen Fry's decades-long obsession with a man's most trusted accessoryβ€” the tie. By the time he was fifteen, Stephen Fry owned more than forty ties. Inherited initially from a grandfather, matters turned more serious when he could afford to buy them brand spanking new. Stephen's collection now numbers well into the hundreds. Each tieβ€”whether floral,...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Odyssey
    The epic final chapter in Stephen Fry's global bestselling retellings of the Greek myths. Odyssey begins with Troy having fallen. After ten years of war, Odysseus dreams of lying in the arms of his beloved wife Penelope and of teaching his son Telemachus a warrior's ways. However, the gods toy with the desires of little mortals. Angered by this upstart's...
    Hardback
    Sold Out

More from Arts & Culture

View all
  • Dylan's Pick
    Bold Types
    A tribute to 32 truly independent bookshops throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, from north of Auckland down to Dunedin, and coast to coast. Jane Ussher's photographs show every bookstore in its unique nature - including behind the counter, smoko rooms, the mess which tells the hardworking story behind the joy of matching books with customers. Jemma Moreira's careful editing has crafted...
    Hardback
    $5500
    Elsewhere:
    $7000
    Available
    Ships in 1 week
  • Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    New Release
    Disney Moana: The Official Cookbook
    Embark on a culinary adventure with Moana of Motunui with Pacific recipes inspired by Moana and Moana 2! After a long day of sailing to see how far you’ll go or keeping the demigod Maui out of trouble with Te Fiti, catch a break with the delicious dishes in Moana: The Official Cookbook! Featuring more than 50 recipes spanning the...
    Hardback
    $4499
    Elsewhere:
    $5299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • This Angry Pen of Mine
    This Angry Pen of Mine by Layne Staley invites you to dive into the untold creative world of Layne Staley, the legendary voice behind Alice in Chains. This extraordinary collection showcases his handwritten lyrics, deeply personal poetry, stunning original artwork, rare photos, fan tributes, and so much more. Step into the world of Layne Staley like never before. For the...
    Hardback
    $7299
    Elsewhere:
    $8999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • They Bloom Because of You
    Bestselling author and Instagram sensation Jessica Urlichs returns with a new collection of beautifully observed poems about the ever-evolving journey of motherhood - the hard, the magic and the fleeting. β€˜A raw and honest read that makes you feel seen and understood in a way that will bring you to tears.’ - Hilary Swank β€˜A book to keep close and...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Odyssey
    Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travellers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative....
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Leaves of Grass
    A collectible new Penguin Classics series offers beautiful, slim, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets. In 1855, Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass. The volume received great praise from leading Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. This encouragement led to what would become a lifelong project, as Whitman expanded and rewrote the volume until his death...
    Hardback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Great Writers and the Cats who Owned Them
    Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L. M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from...
    Hardback
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Beautiful Chaos
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller Selected poems from bestselling author and Instagram poet, Jessica Urlichs. 'These words awaken the magic of life by celebrating the ordinary.' - Giovanna Fletcher Motherhood is messy and beautiful, and hard and humbling. We adore our children and sometimes we miss ourselves. Beautiful Chaos is a collection of raw, honest poems about motherhood, capturing everything...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • To the Women - The New Collection of Wise Words Every Woman Needs
    THE COMPLETELY UPDATED COLLECTION WITH OVER 70 BRAND NEW POEMS, FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WILD HOPE AND WORDS TO LIVE BY 'Amazing . . . Donna's words speak to my heart' Davina McCall To the Women is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and joy of being a woman. A love letter to our deep capacity...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Backorder
    Ships early August
  • Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour
    The creative journey continues with Wreck This Journal: Now in Colour by Keri Smith, the latest and most vibrant edition of the groundbreaking series that redefined journaling. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this edition brings the playful destructiveness of the original to life in dazzling full colour, adding a dynamic new dimension to the beloved prompts. Whether you're a seasoned Wreck-er,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Odyssey
    The Odyssey by Homer is a monumental epic that has enthralled readers for centuries with its rich tapestry of adventure and human struggle. It chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, the cunning King of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the fall of Troy. During this ten-year odyssey, Odysseus confronts myriad dangers, both natural and supernatural, that test...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Iliad
    When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017β€”revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)β€”critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an...
    By Homer
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.