This is the story of a rare sort of American genius, who grew up in grinding poverty in Camden, Maine. Nothing could save the sensitive child but ...
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Oct 15, 2008
Joy H.
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I loved this book! I enjoyed it more than the other popular biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, (_Savage Beauty_ by Nancy Milford). I felt that it gave more insight into her life than Milford's book did.
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Dec 17, 2009
Jennifer
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An exciting account of poet Edna St Vincent Millay's life and writing. Millay emerges as a bold feminist with radical views. Her poetry is deeply moving and passionate.
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Jul 22, 2008
Cat
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This is a pretty goofily written biography of one of my faves. There is a lot of purple prose, and Epstein seems pretty clearly to have fallen in love and in lust with his subject. (Dig his passages about the naked pictures of her that can be found at the Library of Congress.) Exclamation points litter the page, and he earnestly (can it be possible?) discusses some of the leading players' star signs and how these astrological dimensions contributed to their passion. Needless to say, I found
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May 03, 2008
Caroline
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In full disclosure, this is the only Millay bio I’ve read, so I’m not sure how it compares to any others. I’d rate myself as moderate fan of her sonnets; a more enthusiastic fan might find the very elements I’m complaining about here to be strengths…
Throughout the bio, Epstein includes some (perhaps all?) juicy stuff, which is cool with me, but he seems to also include everything else, which I often found tedious. (I know it’s not very scholarly to admit this, but just because a per More...
Throughout the bio, Epstein includes some (perhaps all?) juicy stuff, which is cool with me, but he seems to also include everything else, which I often found tedious. (I know it’s not very scholarly to admit this, but just because a per More...
Jun 06, 2010
Melanie
rated it:
beautifully written biography about one of the most remarkable female poets. it takes us through her life from early on, so detailed, so visual, to her death, and all the craziness and wild nights in between.
Aug 14, 2011
Greg
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I was working my way through it a few years ago, but stopped and went on to something else. I like the poems enough to want to read all the biography, but time, etc.
Sep 14, 2007
Debbie
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I don't normally read biographies, but this one caught my eye. I was teaching poetry and I was looking for resources to get my students excited about poetry.
I did not realize that Edna St. Vincent Millay was such a prolific writer of sonnets (one of the only poet since Shakespeare to write a significant number of them). The title poem is a lovely one, in which Millay reflects on her many lovers. I also did not realize what a free spirit she was, at a time when women were not encou More...
I did not realize that Edna St. Vincent Millay was such a prolific writer of sonnets (one of the only poet since Shakespeare to write a significant number of them). The title poem is a lovely one, in which Millay reflects on her many lovers. I also did not realize what a free spirit she was, at a time when women were not encou More...
Dec 04, 2010
Sterling
rated it:
Hard to get through; I've been putting this book down occasionally to pick something else up for a break. It has been worth it though to learn about this unique and amazing women. Epstein biographies Millay so well I would recommend this to anyone even slightly interested in her life story and what inspired her timeless lyrics.
Nov 10, 2008
Lara
rated it:
holy crap i loved this autobiography. edna st. vincent millet was a vixen; her life was fascinating. she was a passionate artist in every definition imaginable. and she got lots of action without ever getting pregnant or std's which is pretty impressive for her time period ;] yay!
Jan 03, 2009
Christine
rated it:
i remember reading somewhere that millay was a bisexual. why wasn't that mentioned in the book? still; it was instructive tracing the trajectory of millay's lives and loves. why do men flock to the same woman other men are attracted to? this is a mystery to me.
Jul 20, 2007
Beverly
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I've always loved Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry but now I am totally obsessed with her! I had no idea she was such an immense celebrity in her day. It's sad that it seems not many people today have even heard of her.
Jan 07, 2008
rinabeana
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Epstein chose Millay's love life as the major focus of this biography, and I think it pales in comparison to Nancy Milford's Savage Beauty.
Feb 28, 2008
Jill
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Fascinating stuff about her early life; my interest waned in the middle. also, i'd already renewed it too many times at the library.
Nov 10, 2009
Jennifer
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I'm enchanted to read about her life and poetry, but not sure this is the best biography...will be reading more.
Oct 08, 2007
Laura
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Wonderful biography. You finish feeling like Edna SVM was your own charismatic, magnetic, infuriating friend.
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