Ezra Pound, Father and Teacher: Discretions

by Mary de Rachewiltz

Book by Rachewiltz, Mary De

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[nogaboga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though still not a fan of autobiographies, this one worked for me. It gives the reader a real taste of life in Europe in-between world wars, which is a time and a place that used to appear often in my readings, and hasn't for quite some time now. For this reason, there was something nostalgic about reading it that kept me interested.
De Rachewiltz integrates lines from Ezra Pound's Cantos throughout the book, usually lines that refer directly to an event or an experience as she is describing that experience to the reader. If anything, it's now clear to me that one should never attempt to read the Cantos without a very, very detailed annotations book. The references are so specific and subjective, that without a full descriptions of the relevant events, one just cannot understand Pound's Cantos.

[Mark Folse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling memoir not just of growing up as Ezra Pound's daughter, but of growing up in the Tyrol and war-time Italy. One need not be a scholar or fan of Ezra Pound to be spellbound by the author's life. Mary de Rachewilz: poet, translator, brilliant auto-didact, person of charm and great strenth, stands on her own like the castle she inhabits. If one is such a fan or scholar, it is an indispensable part of the library.

[Allison Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to write memoir, read this book!
You don't have to be an expert on Pound, but do some background research. Important things to know: Babbo is Pound; Mamile is Olga Rudge. Ok, glad we're clear.

[Mills College Library]

811.52 R119d 1975