The purpose of the work is to study the review of a poetry book in terms of genre and composition. The novelty, in particular, is the choice of methods (quantitative estimation, empirical generalization, modeling) for the object.

The article for the first time quantifies the multitude of reviews on the collection of poems published in Russia nowadays. It states that the traditional literary-critical (artistic) affiliation of the review – perhaps because of the quantity – is changing: now review of a poetry collection is not only a literary-critical genre, but also a journalistic genre, and partly scientific one, as well as a unit of the information system. If earlier art tasks were a priority for literary critics, now objectivity and accuracy of information are prioritized. For the first time the thesis is revealed that the individualization of the poetic book, bringing it to an individual identity: selfidentity. The purpose goal of the reviewer is an individualization of a poetry book, bringing it to an individual identity: self-identity, identity of oneself. In this regard, the review composition model is proposed: introductory part (header), information about the author, listing the features of his poetry, quotes. Not all those elements are obligatory and not all are equal: literary critic chooses from a set of poetic traits those that he considers important and that can serve his own purpose. Article sums up that the review in literary process is important, and the role of reviewer is still active – but active in a different way.