A WAY WITH WORDS George Bowering. Ottawa, Oberon Press, c1982. 199pp, paper, $19.95 (cloth), $9.95 (paper). ISBN 0-88750-431-0 (cloth), 0-88750-432-9 (paper). Grades 12 and up. Reviewed by Chris Kempling. Volume 10 Number 4. 1982 November. As a member of Canada's poetic elite, George Bowering brings a great deal of personal insight to this collection of twelve critical essays. The work surveys the impact and achievement of eleven of Canada's modern poets: Margaret Avison, James Reaney, Ray Kiyooka, D.G. Jones, Red Lane, Lionel Kearns, John Newlove, Fred Wah, Margaret Atwood, Frank Davey, and David McFadden. The discussions are generally scholarly, but there are several highly personal vignettes, such as the treatment of Red Lane's works. Bowering's criticism of Northrop Frye's criticism is noteworthy. Bowering delineates "the un-Fryed, or 'raw'" school of poetic philosophy with agility and thoughtful consideration. This work will undoubtedly have its niche on the shelves of English faculty members. As well, senior university students of Canadian poetry may find the treatment of a particular poet useful for term papers. The publisher unfortunately omitted eight pages of text during printing. These pages, along with a good introduction (which the book really needs), will make this a good reference text on modern Canadian poets. Chris Kempling, Quesnel, BC.