Every Riven Thing

Every Riven Thing is Christian Wiman's collection of poems that confronts mortality, faith, and suffering. The poems were written during a period when Wiman faced a rare form of cancer while simultaneously experiencing a return to religious belief. The collection contains both formal and free verse poetry, with many pieces exploring the tension between doubt and devotion. Wiman draws from his Texas upbringing, his experiences in nature, and his encounters with physical pain to craft his verses. The language moves between spare simplicity and intense complexity, often incorporating theological concepts and biblical references. Wiman's background as former editor of Poetry magazine informs his technical precision with form and meter. These poems examine the intersection of human suffering and divine presence, raising questions about how meaning can persist in the face of profound loss. The work stands as a meditation on what remains after everything has been torn apart - both in terms of physical existence and spiritual certainty.

Readers connect with Wiman's raw exploration of faith, doubt, and mortality as he grapples with terminal illness. The poetry resonates with those facing similar struggles with health and spirituality. Readers appreciated: - Precise, musical language that avoids sentimentality - Balance of accessibility and complexity - Honest treatment of suffering and faith - Memorable individual lines and images Common criticisms: - Some poems feel too abstract or intellectual - Religious themes can be heavy-handed - Occasional awkward line breaks and rhythms Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (350+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (40+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "His command of form and meter is remarkable" - Goodreads reviewer "The poems dealing with illness hit like a punch to the gut" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in theological abstractions" - Poetry Foundation commenter The collection won the 2011 Commonwealth Prize from the English-Speaking Union.

The Wild Iris by Louise Glück This collection of poems explores faith, mortality, and nature through the voices of flowers and a searching human consciousness.

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr The text examines spiritual growth through suffering and demonstrates how loss leads to deeper understanding.

My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman This meditation on faith, doubt, and poetry continues the themes of mortality and belief present in Every Riven Thing.

A Prayer Journal by Flannery O'Connor These private writings reveal a young writer's struggle with faith, art, and existence.

Thirst by Mary Oliver The poems in this collection combine observations of nature with meditations on loss, love, and faith.

🔖 Christian Wiman wrote many poems in this collection while battling a rare form of blood cancer, which deeply influenced the book's themes of mortality and faith 🔖 The title "Every Riven Thing" comes from a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, with "riven" meaning split or torn apart 🔖 The collection marked Wiman's return to Christianity after years of agnosticism, chronicling his spiritual journey through both doubt and belief 🔖 Wiman composed these poems while serving as the editor of Poetry magazine, one of the most prestigious literary journals in America (2003-2013) 🔖 The book received the Ambassador Book Award in Poetry and was named one of the best books of 2010 by The New Yorker magazine