e.e. cummings: The Magic-Maker

by Charles Norman

CONCEIVE A MAN, HARVARD, THE MAKLING OF A BOOK, THE POET AT WAR, THE ENORMOUS ROOM, THE TWENTIES; NEW YORK, PARIS, PLAYWRIGHT, PAINTER, THE PILGRIM IN RUSSIA,

Genres: Poetry, Biography

Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"To make things one's self means silence and solitude, a concept utterly at odds with the present epoch of sounds."

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one fantastic biography, and I've read a few in my lifetime. As someone pointed out elsewhere in a review or jacket blurb, this is "more than just a biography." To me, it felt like a really well-edited documentary in print.

While the biographer Charles Norman takes us more or less chronologically through the high points and vicissitudes of Cummings' life as both poet and painter, there are many wonderful asides, where he seasons his biography with comments from people who knew Cummings well such as John Dos Passos, one of his ex-wifes, the love of his life Marion Morehouse, or Cummings himself. Also, he quotes excerpts from Cummings' poems at the right point in the book to highlight certain themes or emphases for the biography. This is MASTERFULLY done.

As someone like myself who has been curious about Cummings for a while, finding myself about to 'dive' (that is the only correct verb when it comes to reading Cummings) into his work head-first, this was the perfect introduction and primer to the legendary and highly idiosyncratic modernist poet.

(I also recommend reading the Pound/Cummings letters if you are interested in this man for you will see a very lively interchange of letters and ideas between these two great minds.)

When I finally finished the book and put it down, I came away with an incredible admiration for this man who devoted his whole life to painting in the daytime and writing poetry at night. And even more importantly, he devoted his life to the celebration of love, which may sound corny but he did it sincerely and one of his many amazing lines is: "be of love(a little)more careful / Than of everything..." How true. He understood that love truly was a gift and if you didn't look after that feeling and realise what a real gift and blessing it is, it could leave you out in the cold.

Although he might not be the absolute best of the modernist poets, I think I admire him the most. And finally, hats off to Charles Norman for an absolutely brilliant biography / celebration / festschrift / introduction / primer etc. to this legendary artist and wonderful man.

[J. Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

If you ever think you have a good original idea about Cummings, you might want to read this book before you share it with people. You might feel like the speaker in Ecclesiastes, but you'll also know more about one of the great 20th century poets and not make a fool of yourself around people who have read this book, which is a magnificent texture of primary texts and reviews pieced together with light, deft, often funny editorial commentary. One of the best author studies I've ever read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

knew nothing about him before. what a mind.

and now my husband is reading it..

[Elizabeth Sulzby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow.