Emily Dickinson: A Biography

by Milton Meltzer

Examines the life of the reclusive nineteenth-century Massachusetts poet whose posthumously published poetry brought her the public attention she had carefully avoided during her lifetime.

Genres: Biography

128 pages, Library Binding

First published December 15, 2005

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

not entirely sure how to write my english paper on her now, because i've concluded the secret to success is agoraphobia :]

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic- insightful, factual, descriptive and eloquent. Emily Dickinson as I’ve never known her. She has so long been the mysterious woman in the white dress writing by candlelight in the dark of a Massachusetts night. I learned so much about this “choice spirit.” Indeed, Emily Dickinson was a spiritually elevated artist who was in touch with her sprit’s most minute reactions to the ever changing environments around her. I recommend this biography to anyone who’s ever been inspired by the glorious and legendary Emily Dickinson.

[hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I read this for a research paper, but here we are, I'm reviewing it. I really enjoyed the wording and personalization of this book that the author used. It makes me feel more in tune to the story, I also enjoyed the poems and pictures of letter or examples of things.

[Ethan Selkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a good intro to her life, but I'm excited to delve deeper into Dickinson in other works. I thought that this biographical work was too often too concise and lacking in detail; it suffices, but it doesn't quite move the reader. it doesn't show much sophistication of thought or nuance in encountering her body of work, and for this I'll turn to other sources. however, overall it was a necessary read in order for me to better understand Dickinson's personal life at its core and the base facts that constituted her existence.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a friend was puzzled and disappointed that I was not acquainted with Emily Dickinson's poetry, I set out to remedy the situation. I wanted to know about her life before exploring her poetry. Sewall's monumental 821-page biography is daunting, so I chose this slender volume. Meltzer provides a sketch of Dickinson's life which will be enough to aid my first foray into the poetry.

[Lorraine Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summary of the life and influences of Emily Dickinson.

[Theresa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was a fascinating person! Her gift never got true credit until after her death when her sister, Vinnie, found all of her writing. She wrote endlessly about life and death. Her correspondence were with those whom she admired or loved. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, she stayed there all of her life and lived through the time of the Civil War. Her life was all about words. She had a love for words like no other person. The reason she spoke of death so much is because it was all around her. Emily had very close relationships with all of her family members. She and her sister both chose not to marry. Her brother married a woman named Susan, who had many parties featuring important people. They lived right next door. Therefore, Emily enjoyed visiting with people from the literary world. She asked for criticism and advice. Through these correspondences, some of her work was published. People appreciated her poetry while she was alive, but only those who got a rare glimpse at it.

It is interesting to think she did not write for others, but merely for the pure enjoyment of writing. It became a part of her. I like that there was no motive in her writing; it was all observation of the world. Writing in it's purest form is reflected in her poetry.

I enjoyed this book so much, because I got to know the person behind it all. The book was read in one sitting. I stayed up most of the night.

[BookSweetie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milton Meltzer is an award winning writer of more than one hundred books for young people and adults. This particular slim (128 pages) volume is a quality introduction to the poet Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886) and her life in Amherst, Massachusetts. The book is a wonderful introduction for the uninitiated and is beautifully constructed with photos and illustrations that appear on every few pages.

For the more serious adult reader, other volumes abound. I have read goodly portions of the interesting 400 plus paged 2010 volume LIVES LIKE LOADED GUNS: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds by Lyndall Gordon, which I do recommend. But for most generalists, including young adult readers, the quick-reading Meltzer literary greats biography is a fitting place to begin.

[Phoebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the poet's life and work in a slim format, with Meltzer's wonderful writing giving heft and balance to a difficult topic. He addresses none of the meatier controversies that so consume adult-level biographies of Dickinson, but nonetheless offers a full and informative treatment of this mysterious person. Plenty of primary source material, excellent photos, and well-chosen poems result in a young adult biography that stands out from the crowd. This is the fourth biography of Dickinson I have read so far and I still learned some fresh facts. Highly recommended. (And as an aside, the photo included of the replica of one of her simple white dresses shows the incredible skill of the seamstress--lovely!)

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography introduces the events happening during Emily Dickinson's life and hints at what may have motivated her writing and withdrawal from society. An accessible introduction to this great American poet's life.

Middle school/HS

[Jasmine DeMario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an introduction into the poet, Emily Dickenson's, life and what inspired her work. The book also talks about what may have caused her to withdraw from society. This book includes interesting information about Emily Dickinson's family background.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily is always an interesting character to me. It was enlightening to learn more about her family background.

[Allison Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily Dickinson the biography by Milton meltzer was a great book with interesting facts but I liked stories then fact books but it was still pretty interesting.I recommend this book to anyone who like non-fiction and about famous people history.this book is about Emily and famous who’s poems were discovered and became famous after she died.in this book there were many poems and letters.What I don’t like is the discrimination of woman and how Emily accepted that.a example of a poem which was in this book is “from all the jails the boys and girls ecstatically leap-
Beloved only afternoon
That prison doesn’t keep-

They storm the earth and stun the air,
A mob of solid bliss-
Alas- that frowns should lie in wait
For such a foe as this-“ this poem about who Emily Dickinson feels when she leaves school on Saturday (like a Friday to us) this poem gets a 3 out of 5. I would be sad but I would reread once again if could. I understood the poem book she created after I read this.