What do you think?
Rate this book
Emily Dickinson and the Art of Belief
Garnering awards from Choice, Christianity Today, Books & Culture , and the Conference on Christianity and Literature when first published in 1998, Roger Lundin's Emily Dickinson and the Art of Belief has been widely recognized as one of the finest biographies of the great American poet Emily Dickinson. Paying special attention to her experience of faith, Lundin skillfully relates Dickinson's life -- as it can be charted through her poems and letters -- to nineteenth-century American political, social, religious, and intellectual history.
This second edition of Lundin's superb work includes a standard bibliography, expanded notes, and a more extensive discussion of Dickinson's poetry than the first edition contained. Besides examining Dickinson's singular life and work in greater depth, Lundin has also keyed all poem citations to the recently updated standard edition of Dickinson's poetry. Already outstanding, Lundin's biography of Emily Dickinson is now even better than before.
This second edition of Lundin's superb work includes a standard bibliography, expanded notes, and a more extensive discussion of Dickinson's poetry than the first edition contained. Besides examining Dickinson's singular life and work in greater depth, Lundin has also keyed all poem citations to the recently updated standard edition of Dickinson's poetry. Already outstanding, Lundin's biography of Emily Dickinson is now even better than before.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
17 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Roger Lundin
22 books14 followersRoger Lundin (PhD, University of Connecticut) was Arthur F. Holmes Professor of Faith and Learning at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He was the award-winning author of several books, including Believing Again: Doubt and Faith in a Secular Age and Emily Dickinson and the Art of Belief.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Read
February 18, 2021A truly gracious, responsible biography of Dickinson with lively bits that remind me of the author’s intellectual passions. Miss him.
August 6, 2022
I had a very very hard time reading this biography. It took me literally months to finish and I had good reason for this delay.
While the book is centered around Christianity and the "Art of Belief", the analysis could - and would - never persuade me that Emily was a heavy believer. And it tried. A LOT.
Coming from a broken belief system, Emily struggled to find God or Christ around her. Sure, she used much of her poetry trying to "poke around" the idea of religion, Death and the hope of reincarnation, but she wasn't a classic modern christian. While her whole family was invested in pious sermons, she couldn't bring herself to join them. Inquisitive, a fabricator of words and metaphors that can absolutely destroy you, she used the myth of God and his son as the Reaper's boat; as a means to touch immortality, while nature celebrated around her.
Her home was her church in a way. A safe place to hone her pencils, read books and write poems in whatever pieces of paper she could get her hands on. She wasn't mysterious, she didn't change abruptly and turned into some horny teen in her 50s (while being with Philip Lord) and for sure she wasn't straight. Female biographies written by men is a very tricky trope. Historians and especially Christian historians, are constantly trying to erase women's sexualities and inner monologues as something wicked and non-existent. In this biography Lundin is trying to erase Emily's bisexuality and the love she shared with her sister in law: Sue Gilbert.
A letter from the early spring of 1852, eight months into Susan’s absence, sent by Emily:
"Will you be kind to me, Susie? I am naughty and cross, this morning, and nobody loves me here; nor would you love me, if you should see me frown, and hear how loud the door bangs whenever I go through; and yet it isn’t anger — I don’t believe it is, for when nobody sees, I brush away big tears with the corner of my apron, and then go working on — bitter tears, Susie — so hot that they burn my cheeks, and almost scorch my eyeballs, but you have wept much, and you know they are less of anger than sorrow.
And I do love to run fast — and hide away from them all; here in dear Susie’s bosom, I know is love and rest, and I never would go away, did not the big world call me, and beat me for not working… Your precious letter, Susie, it sits here now, and smiles so kindly at me, and gives me such sweet thoughts of the dear writer. When you come home, darling, I shan’t have your letters, shall I, but I shall have yourself, which is more — Oh more, and better, than I can even think! I sit here with my little whip, cracking the time away, till not an hour is left of it — then you are here! And Joy is here — joy now and forevermore!"
Who would ever even suggest that Emily wasn't deeply in love with Susan? Their correspondence is full of adornment, longing, romance and understanding. Sue was the only person that knew Emily better than Emily knew herself (her obituary was very moving). But in this biography they were rewritten as "close friends" and the emotions were discarded as nothing more than friendly letters. If only that was the case. If only we stopped trying to evade the different sexualities, just because someone's religion suggests otherwise.
Emily was demanding and stubborn. As much as she wanted her poetry to be touched by different hands, she didn't want the world to spoil her literary birthing. Her twenty year seclusion was a way for her work to remain tamed, safe and unknown. Away from the Church, she befriended Death and tried to chase the idea of reincarnation; maybe dead didn't mean gone. What if the ones that went away still linger where their old clothes are hanging? Waiting for their loved ones to join them?
This biography was very disappointing, but I'm giving it two stars because of the way it was written; especially the last two chapters. I was so immersed that I was almost right there, in the Homestead with the Dickinsons while the years faded out and Emily wore her last white dress and a necklace made of violets before entering eternity.
"IF I should die,
And you should live,
And time should gurgle on,
And morn should beam,
And noon should burn,
As it has usual done;
If birds should build as early,
And bees as bustling go,—
One might depart at option
From enterprise below!
’T is sweet to know that stocks will stand
When we with daisies lie,
That commerce will continue,
And trades as briskly fly.
It makes the parting tranquil
And keeps the soul serene,
That gentlemen so sprightly
Conduct the pleasing scene!"
While the book is centered around Christianity and the "Art of Belief", the analysis could - and would - never persuade me that Emily was a heavy believer. And it tried. A LOT.
Coming from a broken belief system, Emily struggled to find God or Christ around her. Sure, she used much of her poetry trying to "poke around" the idea of religion, Death and the hope of reincarnation, but she wasn't a classic modern christian. While her whole family was invested in pious sermons, she couldn't bring herself to join them. Inquisitive, a fabricator of words and metaphors that can absolutely destroy you, she used the myth of God and his son as the Reaper's boat; as a means to touch immortality, while nature celebrated around her.
Her home was her church in a way. A safe place to hone her pencils, read books and write poems in whatever pieces of paper she could get her hands on. She wasn't mysterious, she didn't change abruptly and turned into some horny teen in her 50s (while being with Philip Lord) and for sure she wasn't straight. Female biographies written by men is a very tricky trope. Historians and especially Christian historians, are constantly trying to erase women's sexualities and inner monologues as something wicked and non-existent. In this biography Lundin is trying to erase Emily's bisexuality and the love she shared with her sister in law: Sue Gilbert.
A letter from the early spring of 1852, eight months into Susan’s absence, sent by Emily:
"Will you be kind to me, Susie? I am naughty and cross, this morning, and nobody loves me here; nor would you love me, if you should see me frown, and hear how loud the door bangs whenever I go through; and yet it isn’t anger — I don’t believe it is, for when nobody sees, I brush away big tears with the corner of my apron, and then go working on — bitter tears, Susie — so hot that they burn my cheeks, and almost scorch my eyeballs, but you have wept much, and you know they are less of anger than sorrow.
And I do love to run fast — and hide away from them all; here in dear Susie’s bosom, I know is love and rest, and I never would go away, did not the big world call me, and beat me for not working… Your precious letter, Susie, it sits here now, and smiles so kindly at me, and gives me such sweet thoughts of the dear writer. When you come home, darling, I shan’t have your letters, shall I, but I shall have yourself, which is more — Oh more, and better, than I can even think! I sit here with my little whip, cracking the time away, till not an hour is left of it — then you are here! And Joy is here — joy now and forevermore!"
Who would ever even suggest that Emily wasn't deeply in love with Susan? Their correspondence is full of adornment, longing, romance and understanding. Sue was the only person that knew Emily better than Emily knew herself (her obituary was very moving). But in this biography they were rewritten as "close friends" and the emotions were discarded as nothing more than friendly letters. If only that was the case. If only we stopped trying to evade the different sexualities, just because someone's religion suggests otherwise.
Emily was demanding and stubborn. As much as she wanted her poetry to be touched by different hands, she didn't want the world to spoil her literary birthing. Her twenty year seclusion was a way for her work to remain tamed, safe and unknown. Away from the Church, she befriended Death and tried to chase the idea of reincarnation; maybe dead didn't mean gone. What if the ones that went away still linger where their old clothes are hanging? Waiting for their loved ones to join them?
This biography was very disappointing, but I'm giving it two stars because of the way it was written; especially the last two chapters. I was so immersed that I was almost right there, in the Homestead with the Dickinsons while the years faded out and Emily wore her last white dress and a necklace made of violets before entering eternity.
"IF I should die,
And you should live,
And time should gurgle on,
And morn should beam,
And noon should burn,
As it has usual done;
If birds should build as early,
And bees as bustling go,—
One might depart at option
From enterprise below!
’T is sweet to know that stocks will stand
When we with daisies lie,
That commerce will continue,
And trades as briskly fly.
It makes the parting tranquil
And keeps the soul serene,
That gentlemen so sprightly
Conduct the pleasing scene!"
Read
December 21, 2021A lovely biography. I grew in appreciation for Dickinson and now have an example of an excellent scholarly biography that handles religious themes with care and faithfulness.
January 30, 2022
Una molt bona primera aproximació a la vida i obra de Dickinson. És una biografia que sobretot es centra en els aspectes religiosos de l'època i la importància que van tenir en al seva obra. M'ha anat molt bé per entendre el context (religiós/cultural/social) en el que vivia.
April 19, 2021
I'm really not sure why a biography of Emily Dickinson meant so much to me in my emotional spiritual etc. well-being and personal growth? But here we are. Definitely recommend if you enjoy Dickinson.
May 25, 2017
I knew nothing about Emily Dickinson before reading this book. Now I feel like I have a good running start. As the title suggests, Roger Lundin sets the book against the backdrop of the religious, political and social events of the times and the extraordinary changes that took place in all those areas throughout the 19th century. Despite the fact that Dickinson was an avowed recluse, she was profoundly affected. Despite seeing people on very rare occasions, she read voraciously, kept up with current events and most importantly, carried on many intimate correspondences by letters with dear friends over years, both men and women. Considered an enigma by many, she left behind an incredible legacy of words through her poetry and letters.
Admittedly I am completely dense when it comes to poetry. Despite the fact that I have written song lyrics, I just don't understand poetry. And here I choose the most difficult of them all to read! But Emily Dickinson is also considered one of the greatest.
Lundin's book was a page turner for me. I knew I was hooked the moment I whipped out my pencil and started my customary conversation with this book. Many underscores and notes later, I am sad that my read is over.
As I had hoped, he devoted a chapter to examining some of the poetry she wrote during her most prolific period which aided greatly in my understanding. Against the backdrop of the Civil War for which she had little first-hand contact save the death of friends and neighbors who fought, she fought her own war within herself, a great turmoil that produced her most brilliant work.
I was most fascinated by her seclusion and how many in her own family accepted it as normal to her character. Her sister-in-law Susan wrote in her obituary the following which I think sums it up perfectly:
"Like a magician she caught the shadowy apparitions of her brain and tossed them in startling picturesqueness to her friends ... who fretted that she had so easily made palpable the tantalizing fancies forever eluding their bungling, fettered grasp." (pg. 265)
From Lundin's description of Dickinson I got the impression that she fashioned her life exactly as she wanted it. She saw her limited options as a mid-19th century woman and made her choices. She was indeed fortunately to have family members, especially Lavinia ("Vinnie") protecting that choice and allowing her to live it even if they did not begin to comprehend Emily's genius.
I can't say that I can now go and read Dickinson's poetry and "get it." But I can certainly try. I can also visit her home in Amherst which is only an hour or so away from me.
How I do love living in New England!
Admittedly I am completely dense when it comes to poetry. Despite the fact that I have written song lyrics, I just don't understand poetry. And here I choose the most difficult of them all to read! But Emily Dickinson is also considered one of the greatest.
Lundin's book was a page turner for me. I knew I was hooked the moment I whipped out my pencil and started my customary conversation with this book. Many underscores and notes later, I am sad that my read is over.
As I had hoped, he devoted a chapter to examining some of the poetry she wrote during her most prolific period which aided greatly in my understanding. Against the backdrop of the Civil War for which she had little first-hand contact save the death of friends and neighbors who fought, she fought her own war within herself, a great turmoil that produced her most brilliant work.
I was most fascinated by her seclusion and how many in her own family accepted it as normal to her character. Her sister-in-law Susan wrote in her obituary the following which I think sums it up perfectly:
"Like a magician she caught the shadowy apparitions of her brain and tossed them in startling picturesqueness to her friends ... who fretted that she had so easily made palpable the tantalizing fancies forever eluding their bungling, fettered grasp." (pg. 265)
From Lundin's description of Dickinson I got the impression that she fashioned her life exactly as she wanted it. She saw her limited options as a mid-19th century woman and made her choices. She was indeed fortunately to have family members, especially Lavinia ("Vinnie") protecting that choice and allowing her to live it even if they did not begin to comprehend Emily's genius.
I can't say that I can now go and read Dickinson's poetry and "get it." But I can certainly try. I can also visit her home in Amherst which is only an hour or so away from me.
How I do love living in New England!
April 24, 2021
Fantastic biography. The prose created an atmosphere of seclusion and solitude, to the point where I couldn't read this in a place with any noise. The engagement with religion is fantastic. Not overly Christian, but also not caricatured secularism. People are more complicated than that. I found especially helpful the discussion on Dickinson's view of the trinity, and I found the broad historical framework very intriguing and helpful for contextualization.
June 7, 2017
This is an excellent biography of Emily Dickenson with a focus on her religious struggles.
November 6, 2025
I got to know Lundin through listening to Regent College lectures about 15 -20 year ago. He is a great orator and his reading of poetry is very good. His reading of Dickinson's "My Period had come for Prayer" clicked with me. Especially the line "vast prairies of air, unbroken by a settler, were all that i could see." What a haunting bittersweet line! What a different take on nature from her, so unlike her romantic contemporaries like Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emmerson.
Lundin's book explores Dickinson's life, family background and literary influences but also the impact the rising up of the age of unbelief had on her. Dickinson, unlike other luminaries at the time, like Emmerson and Walt Whitman, did not romanticize the self and nature. She remained tethered to aspects of her Calvinistic heritage and the reality of death. Romanticism did not fit into her system of belief. And her poetry comes from the conflicting accounts of the natural world in the bible and darwin. And also her understanding of God and Jesus.
But within her struggle she finds an authentic, hard won point of connection with the one who suffered and died on the cross. She becomes caught up in Jesus as a "tender pioneer" of human life which includes suffering and death.
She became a recluse in her later years. for a complex set of reasons, but it comes across as a simple decision, nothing dramatic. A great book by the former Wheaton professor Lundin.
The Savior must have been
A docile Gentleman—
To come so far so cold a Day
For little Fellowmen—
The Road to Bethlehem
Since He and I were Boys
Was leveled, but for that 'twould be
A rugged Billion Miles—
Lundin's book explores Dickinson's life, family background and literary influences but also the impact the rising up of the age of unbelief had on her. Dickinson, unlike other luminaries at the time, like Emmerson and Walt Whitman, did not romanticize the self and nature. She remained tethered to aspects of her Calvinistic heritage and the reality of death. Romanticism did not fit into her system of belief. And her poetry comes from the conflicting accounts of the natural world in the bible and darwin. And also her understanding of God and Jesus.
But within her struggle she finds an authentic, hard won point of connection with the one who suffered and died on the cross. She becomes caught up in Jesus as a "tender pioneer" of human life which includes suffering and death.
She became a recluse in her later years. for a complex set of reasons, but it comes across as a simple decision, nothing dramatic. A great book by the former Wheaton professor Lundin.
The Savior must have been
A docile Gentleman—
To come so far so cold a Day
For little Fellowmen—
The Road to Bethlehem
Since He and I were Boys
Was leveled, but for that 'twould be
A rugged Billion Miles—
March 11, 2020
A Spiritual Biography of a Famous Poet
The book has a strong start, but was a struggle to finish. Anyone interested in Dickinson might find the the book appealing, but I think the general reader will find the book laboriously.
The book has a strong start, but was a struggle to finish. Anyone interested in Dickinson might find the the book appealing, but I think the general reader will find the book laboriously.
February 9, 2023
Not Bloom, not Vendler, not Sewall. An attempted extrapolation of the title, being a biography purposely aimed at ED's struggles with God. Excellent insight and well written; an overlooked interpretation of her poems and life.
May 1, 2023
Quite an interesting slant on ED, reading her through the lens of her struggles with Christianity... Not the most incisive readings of her poems I've ever come across, but a generous and thoughtful understanding of her culture and worldview, I think...
February 23, 2023
4- 4.5
September 5, 2022
After reading several books about Emily Dickinson, I'm beginning to understand how she will always remain a mystery. Lundin choose to examine Dickinson's life and work through religion -- the religious milieu she was born into and her own reaction to it. There is so little that we actually know about Dickinson's thoughts and many of her writings were burned after her death -- as she requested. This makes it tempting to interpret her life and her poetry through each writer's own chosen frame, discarding information that doesn't fit with this. For myself, I think its probably possible to find truths about her life -- at different times -- using many different frames. I guess this is what makes her so endlessly fascinating.
August 2, 2010
Lundins fine scholarly biography focuses specially on Dickinsons faith - her struggles to come to terms with the God of the Bible. The book is a great help if one wants to get more "inside the head" of this great poet.
Quote: "If God the Father was often her foe, then God the Son was her trustworthy friend. The Trinitarian theological heritage of western Massachusetts provide her with significant resources for the nuanced complexity of God's character....The depth of Jesus' passion and the breadth of his empathy drew the poet of Amherst to this "man of sorrows".
Quote: "If God the Father was often her foe, then God the Son was her trustworthy friend. The Trinitarian theological heritage of western Massachusetts provide her with significant resources for the nuanced complexity of God's character....The depth of Jesus' passion and the breadth of his empathy drew the poet of Amherst to this "man of sorrows".
June 17, 2015
I liked this book a lot, but the actual biographical bits were more interesting than the philosophical bits. He also seemed to reuse some of Dickinson's quotes a lot, which struck me as strange. Additionally, many of the concluding paragraphs in each chapter said the same thing in different ways which annoyed me. It's like he only had one main point (despite the diversity of the chapter subjects), and felt the need to reiterate it frequently.
April 11, 2024
Like another reviewer, I found the book difficult to read initially and, frankly, put it away for at least a year. On resuming, I found the train of thought easier to follow, beginning at perhaps Chapter 6, and was eager to read through to the end. The book is beautifully written. and I highly recommend it.
August 15, 2008
There's a lot more to Emily than you might think. She wasn't just a crazy recluse, I promise.
April 27, 2016
Really excellent . Emily Dickinson is an important poet.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews