By Heart: Elizabeth Smart, A Life

by Rosemary Sullivan

Book by Sullivan, Rosemary

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

416 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1991

About the author

Rosemary Sullivan is a Canadian poet, biographer, and anthologist. She is also a professor emerita at University of Toronto.

Reviews

[David]

I might call it a sad story, but despite everything that went wrong in her life, Elizabeth Smart probably wouldn't agree with me. Definitely a story of persistence. Also of someone who wanted to define her own way, and yet was frequently very troubled by people who refused to accept her own way, not least of whom was her mother. Smart's own life as a mother is full of challenges as well. She did always seem to be finding something to learn. She appears to have never lost the desire to keep her mind open, even if, on some days, it was hard to find the will to do so. One of her Canadian contacts is quoted as having said "a person like Elizabeth is better to read about than to cope with in the flesh." That describes the way a lot of people reacted to her. That's not fair, but it may be accurate.

[Becky Wolsk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I'm interested in anything that Rosemary Sullivan writes, and because I was interested in Elizabeth Smart's obsession with George Barker. I liked how much of Smart's writing was quoted, but like most biographies I read, I wish this had been shorter.

[Kate M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book, it was simply too long.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried. Really I did. I tried to understand how Elizabeth's early life experiences shaped her. But I had difficulty getting past all the dysfunction. She was presented as thinking she could do whatever she wanted without having to face any consequences of her actions. It was perfectly rational that she hate her lover's wife or have crazy parties while her small children were upstairs trying to sleep...so many poor decisions that hurt her and those around her. Two stars because the writing was decent...I just couldn't get on board with the main character.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of Elizabeth Smart. I can't get enough of this lady!