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mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
"[he was] as fair as she was dark, as easygoing as she was intense, and there was never a time when he could not make her laugh."
"Since of no creature living the last breath is twice required."
"Darlings, I knew that you were sorry. But there's nothing to say. We had a grand time. But it's a changed world. The presence of that absence is everywhere."
"Since of no creature living the last breath is twice required."
"Darlings, I knew that you were sorry. But there's nothing to say. We had a grand time. But it's a changed world. The presence of that absence is everywhere."
amycrea's review against another edition
5.0
This was my second read, and I loved it just as much as the first time.
ashleec15's review against another edition
4.0
An intriguing read, especially after having finished reading the poetry. There wasn't a lot of analysis of what happened in Millay's life, but perhaps that's not the kind of biography this is. Still, worth a read, I think.
robynryle's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting for a biography. Milford has a really interesting writing style which emphasizes the letters of Millay, her poems, and the voice of her sister and other people she interviewed. So she's not trying to necessarily answer any questions about Millay's life and actually raises some without really suggesting an answer. And as I said before, Millay is comfortingly nutty and self-absorbed, making the rest of us look fairly good.
debi_g's review against another edition
I have a great deal of admiration for the lengths Milford took to obtain the materials and for the years she spent sifting through them, making sense and order of them, and discussing them with Norma Millay.
The books sheds a great deal of light upon the fascinating life of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I'm glad that I read the definitive book about her life.
In terms of structure, the book is choppy. The wealth of material means that each fact or detail is complimented by a primary document, letter, or interview that ultimately disrupts the narrative flow. Milford has done well to integrate these bits as smoothly as possible, but the constantly shifting voices challenge my reading pace and flow.
My very favorite, most cherished poem by Millay was not included. It's disappointing that its origins remain unknown to me.
The books sheds a great deal of light upon the fascinating life of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I'm glad that I read the definitive book about her life.
In terms of structure, the book is choppy. The wealth of material means that each fact or detail is complimented by a primary document, letter, or interview that ultimately disrupts the narrative flow. Milford has done well to integrate these bits as smoothly as possible, but the constantly shifting voices challenge my reading pace and flow.
My very favorite, most cherished poem by Millay was not included. It's disappointing that its origins remain unknown to me.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
A fabulous portrayal of a paragon of American poetry. Moving, interesting, dynamic, honest. A good read.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
4.0
After stumbling across Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem Renescence in an anthology in school I've been a fan of her poetry. This was an excellent biography of one of America's best-loved poets and a look at the wild side of life in the twenties. Milford did extensive research and includes a lot of poetry and letters in the book.
donnajah's review against another edition
4.0
Book Review: Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Rating: ★★★★☆
Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford is a deeply researched and meticulously detailed biography that offers a comprehensive look into the life of one of America's most celebrated poets. Milford's exploration of Edna St. Vincent Millay's life is both illuminating and captivating, shedding light on the complex and often tumultuous world in which she lived.
The biography takes us on a journey from Millay's early years in rural Maine to her rise as a prominent literary figure in the early 20th century. Milford delves into the poet's personal relationships, her creative process, and the societal forces that shaped her work. Through letters, journals, and interviews, the author paints a vivid portrait of a woman who defied convention and challenged societal norms, both in her personal life and in her poetry.
What sets Savage Beauty apart is Milford's ability to capture the essence of Millay's spirit and talent. The author explores the profound impact of Millay's poetry on the literary landscape of her time, as well as the enduring legacy she left behind. Milford's prose is engaging and evocative, bringing Millay's world to life and allowing readers to connect with her on a deeply personal level.
One aspect of the biography that stands out is Milford's exploration of Millay's complex relationships and her exploration of sexuality. Millay's unconventional lifestyle and her bisexuality challenged societal norms of the time, and Milford provides a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of these aspects of her life. The author handles these subjects with care and respect, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges Millay faced as a woman living in a society that often sought to stifle her voice.
While Savage Beauty is a comprehensive and insightful biography, there are moments when the narrative feels overly detailed and dense. Milford's meticulous research sometimes results in an overwhelming amount of information, which may be daunting for readers seeking a more concise overview of Millay's life. Additionally, some readers may find the extensive focus on Millay's personal relationships and the intricacies of her love affairs to be excessive and distracting from her literary achievements.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Savage Beauty remains a definitive biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, offering a rich and nuanced exploration of her life and work. Milford's passion for her subject shines through in her writing, and her deep understanding of Millay's poetry adds an extra layer of insight to the narrative. This biography is a valuable resource for lovers of Millay's poetry, as well as those interested in the lives of influential women writers of the early 20th century.
In conclusion, Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay is a compelling and comprehensive biography that delves into the complexities of one of America's most iconic poets. Nancy Milford's research and storytelling shine throughout, providing readers with a deeper understanding of Millay's life, poetry, and the cultural context in which she lived. Despite its occasional density, this biography is a must-read for anyone seeking to discover the fascinating life and enduring artistic legacy of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
(Also currently one of my favorite books)
Rating: ★★★★☆
Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford is a deeply researched and meticulously detailed biography that offers a comprehensive look into the life of one of America's most celebrated poets. Milford's exploration of Edna St. Vincent Millay's life is both illuminating and captivating, shedding light on the complex and often tumultuous world in which she lived.
The biography takes us on a journey from Millay's early years in rural Maine to her rise as a prominent literary figure in the early 20th century. Milford delves into the poet's personal relationships, her creative process, and the societal forces that shaped her work. Through letters, journals, and interviews, the author paints a vivid portrait of a woman who defied convention and challenged societal norms, both in her personal life and in her poetry.
What sets Savage Beauty apart is Milford's ability to capture the essence of Millay's spirit and talent. The author explores the profound impact of Millay's poetry on the literary landscape of her time, as well as the enduring legacy she left behind. Milford's prose is engaging and evocative, bringing Millay's world to life and allowing readers to connect with her on a deeply personal level.
One aspect of the biography that stands out is Milford's exploration of Millay's complex relationships and her exploration of sexuality. Millay's unconventional lifestyle and her bisexuality challenged societal norms of the time, and Milford provides a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of these aspects of her life. The author handles these subjects with care and respect, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges Millay faced as a woman living in a society that often sought to stifle her voice.
While Savage Beauty is a comprehensive and insightful biography, there are moments when the narrative feels overly detailed and dense. Milford's meticulous research sometimes results in an overwhelming amount of information, which may be daunting for readers seeking a more concise overview of Millay's life. Additionally, some readers may find the extensive focus on Millay's personal relationships and the intricacies of her love affairs to be excessive and distracting from her literary achievements.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Savage Beauty remains a definitive biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, offering a rich and nuanced exploration of her life and work. Milford's passion for her subject shines through in her writing, and her deep understanding of Millay's poetry adds an extra layer of insight to the narrative. This biography is a valuable resource for lovers of Millay's poetry, as well as those interested in the lives of influential women writers of the early 20th century.
In conclusion, Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay is a compelling and comprehensive biography that delves into the complexities of one of America's most iconic poets. Nancy Milford's research and storytelling shine throughout, providing readers with a deeper understanding of Millay's life, poetry, and the cultural context in which she lived. Despite its occasional density, this biography is a must-read for anyone seeking to discover the fascinating life and enduring artistic legacy of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
(Also currently one of my favorite books)