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The Luminescence of All Things Emily
A poetic biography of Emily Dickinson and those close to her. Although Dickinson never left her home after the age of thirty, she had a rich emotional life that included her sister, brother, sister-in-law, her brother's lover, and the household staff. This book explores these relationships in the context of Dickinson's own time and in her current status as an icon.
- GenresPoetry
88 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 20, 2011
I'm absolutely floored by the positive reviews. I don't think I can read this. Seems to be dull prose chopped up into lines with no attention to line breaks -- or perhaps only for the look on the page, not the words at the ends of the lines.
The Day Before Austin and Mabel Began Their Affair
There's the couch on which Austin and Mabel
consummated their relationship, the young guide
says, pointing to an American Empire couch
int he living room. Covered later by Sue in red
damask, it was in black horsehair on December
13, 1883, when Austin and Mabel lay on it,
however awkwardly. It had been brought into
the dining room by the fireplace for warmth,
and the door was locked against sisters and servants.
On the day before, Austin had sat here by
the fire. Emily poured a glass of her currant
wine from the rose decanter. It's still here
too in the dining room, refracting light
onto the wall. It gleamed to Austin like
the memory of a heart he once thought he had.
The Day Before Austin and Mabel Began Their Affair
There's the couch on which Austin and Mabel
consummated their relationship, the young guide
says, pointing to an American Empire couch
int he living room. Covered later by Sue in red
damask, it was in black horsehair on December
13, 1883, when Austin and Mabel lay on it,
however awkwardly. It had been brought into
the dining room by the fireplace for warmth,
and the door was locked against sisters and servants.
On the day before, Austin had sat here by
the fire. Emily poured a glass of her currant
wine from the rose decanter. It's still here
too in the dining room, refracting light
onto the wall. It gleamed to Austin like
the memory of a heart he once thought he had.
May 2, 2009
Whether one is an avid fan of Emily Dickinson or just curious about her life, the lush prose in this collection satisfies in every way. I feel as though I'm the shadow on the wall, privy to all that she sees and hears. A scholar of Dickinson, Oakes translates Dickinson's poetry and biography in the very way that Dickinson herself would have approved: poetry.
A splendid, worthwhile read for everyone!
A splendid, worthwhile read for everyone!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews