About this Event
The Book Hive presents... How Not to Read a Poem: Spooky Special.
Jeremy (a university lecturer and poetry critic) and Joe (a bookseller at The Book Hive and poetry tutor) believe that if we slow down, stop being so serious and follow a few simple steps, poems aren’t scary (even around all hallows eve). In fact, anyone, anywhere can enjoy any piece of poetry.
Join them on the 4th November when Jeremy will bring Joe two eerie poems — one short, one longer, one new, one older, one from a Nobel Laureate and one set in the haunted streets of Norwich... The two friends will then close-read the poems together, live in front of you, in a way that’s intelligent but informal and infectious.
Hold on to your (witches) hats, because this won’t be anything like English lessons at school! Together, we’ll be doing some quite weird, counter-intuitive and fun stuff.
Jeremy will use his vast knowledge of footnotes and dinner-party-ready anecdotes to 'read in' to each poem — sharing stories about the poet, and thoughts about their choice of words. That'll help us explore the historical context of when the poem was composed, how it was written, and why. Meanwhile, Joe will 'read out' of each poem, using a playful but powerful technique. He'll go line by line to reveal how each pieces works — looking at rhythm, rhyme, imagery and more.
Ultimately, you’ll come away with a surprisingly simple but revelatory way to read — and enjoy! — poems, plus ideas for more poetry to explore.
Taking place in the suitably unnerving surroundings of the Crypt at the Louis Marchesi pub, the evening will be in two parts, with a short interval in the middle when you can grab a drink from the bar (pints of blood by special request).
*Joe’s technique is adapted from a framework of tips and tricks created by writer, philosopher and Literature Professor .
The Book Hive Presents... How Not to Read a Poem: Spooky Special
Wednesday 4th November 2026
The Crypt, The Louis Marchesi
7:00pm start (please arrive a few minutes before so we can get you seated)
£15
Event venue & nearby stays
The Book Hive, 53 London Street, Norwich, United Kingdom
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