Walking Each Other Home by Michael Hogan is a lovely look at a variety of writers whose influence has stayed with him over the years. These include - but are not limited to - Seamus Heaney, Naomi Shihab Nye, Marge Piercy, and W.S. Merwin, each of whom significantly impacted his life. The book focuses on their effect and how Hogan used these experiences in his life with a collection of narrations that reflect on these moments. This structure creates something unique and twists the concept of a traditional memoir into something fresh and original. The stories highlight writers' connections with each other and provide an assortment of invaluable writing advice, which Hogan pays forward by sharing.

This collection of conversations spans forty years and contains personal stories that have been transformative for Michael Hogan. Some of these names are well-known; however, each section will encourage you to check out the works of these incredible voices. The different sections are short and highlight stories about the various writers. The insight into who these writers are as people is accomplished with a brief analysis of select works. Seeing these examples successfully showcases how powerful words can be and the healing properties that poetry can have on anyone’s life. These stories are inspiring and the anecdotes shared will have you thinking deeper about writing, life, and poetry. A few interludes are incorporated where Hogan shares a bit more about himself such as promoting US education in Poland or the 1970s in Memphis. Though the focus is primarily on other writers, these reflections help you learn about the author's struggles and losses, and how each person he encountered inspired him to become a more open person. Walking Each Other Home demonstrates how literary works - specifically poetry - can transform how you view life.

In Walking Each Other Home, author Michael Hogan takes us on an enthralling journey into the world of poetry and the many innovative ways this skill can be nurtured and appreciated. Hogan explores how this art has profoundly influenced and impacted him on a personal level. Through a sequence of narratives, he shares his countless encounters with notable poets--each exchange brimming with uniqueness and intrigue. Readers will get a rare peek into the lives of these remarkable poets and personally witness the connective power of written prose. Hogan combines his work with entertaining poetic facts and invaluable advice to help other writers enhance their craft. His book is filled with a nostalgic accent on themes like friendship, transience, and a deep appreciation for the arts. Come prepared to laugh, cry, and experience a thrilling intellectual voyage while reading this book.

Walking Each Other Home is not your average poetic memoir. This book is dedicated to the beauty found in human connections and the power of prose. Michael Hogan's perceptive musings on the social influence of poetry are both captivating and thought-provoking. He creatively incorporates wit, social issues, and history into each reflective chapter. This same wit and profundity are mirrored in each dialogue and interaction between him and the poets he associated with. I admire Hogan's candidness when talking about the loss of his son and his battle with addiction. He uses his pain to connect with the vulnerability inside us all. He masterfully taps into the depths of despair and uses raw emotions to inspire his evocative writings. I highly recommend this book to all literary fans. It is an absolute must-read for poetry lovers and persons searching for innovativeness drawn from the depths of the human psyche and soul.