The Emily Dickinson Handbook

by Gudrun Grabher (Editor ), Roland Hagenbüchle (Editor ), Cristanne Miller (Editor )

This book is a source of quick reference containing basic and up-to-date information on the poet's life, her art, the manuscripts, and the current state of Dickinson scholarship in general.

For ease of use, individual essays have been structured as

Each essay provides a historical overview of the relevant issues under scrutiny.

The essays offer detailed discussions of important aspects pertaining of the fields in question.

Unlike encyclopedic entries, each of the several essays reflects the authors own perspective, presenting a distinct point of view, at times a controversial one.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction

488 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Margaret Langstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having studied Dickinson for so many years and written about her and her poetry, I'm inclined to be rather skeptical of the merits of any book that claims to be a "handbook" or a definitive authority on her bio and poems. She has so often been hijacked and exploited--and misrepresented-- by fanatics of one kind or another, persons bent on riding her like a trick pony for their own purposes or agendas. This, however, was a wonderful surprise and I can't recommend it too highly for anyone who wants a one volume Dickinson reference. The scholarship is sound and up to date; the book is very accessible and a delight to read. It can only enhance one's appreciation and enjoyment of the poems and de-mystifies/sets the record straight in so many key areas related to this major American poet. Her life and her family history are literally the stuff operas, including soap operas, are made of and have enough human interest and "juicy" stuff to mesmerize even those who are allergic to poetry. It's a great introduction to Dickinson as well as a pleasure to read for those who've already spent some time on her work.