Of all the biographies of writers and thinkers that I have read and considered over decades, this particular narrative stands out as among the most highly successful. Biographical narratives rarely move me to tears, but this one does, and for numerous reasons. The simplicity, elegance, and beauty of Sewall's narrative strategy and design are remarkable. His steadfast pursuit of ED, the clarity of his conception of the development of ED's inner life and its relationships to observable behaviors, its completeness, wholeness, and unity, his cautions, and the lucidity of his prose all contribute to its success. So far as I can tell, at the moment, one need only read Sewall and Wineapple's "White Heat" to know as much of ED's experience as we're likely ever to know or need.

However, this thought raises many questions about the purpose and scope of successful literary biography. What are the minimum, essential contents of a "successful" literary biography? At what point does the accumulation of information, interpretation, and synthesis make a literary biography "successful" and sufficiently complete? At what point is the question valid: for what purpose would one continue to accumulate, document, and interpret additional detail? How can a biographer sense or know when he has established that content? To what evidentiary standard(s) does that content rise? What gaps, silences, and uncertainties remain? What is one to do with these gaps, silences, and uncertainties? And the questions go on and on. I am beginning to formulate clear answers to these questions for myself, and Sewall's work would serve as a proof text that I would adduce in any defense of my conclusions - if I ever reach final conclusions, which I hope never to reach. [Remember, John: Thou shalt not believe what thou thinkest.]

Regarding Sewall's narrative strategy and design, it appears to me now that it possesses two elements. First, he establishes the context in which the trajectory of ED's experience was possible, namely the Dickinson family. Second, he makes that life course/trajectory apparent as he cautiously describes her character, personality, emotional makeup, drives, decisions, and actions as they develop over the span of her life.

In its original format, Sewall's biography appeared in two volumes. The first volume narrates the history of the Dickinson family, including ED's generation and the two or three generations that preceded her. [ED is born in the first chapter of volume two, chapter 15, p. 321.] Its messages are that although ED claimed that her "country was Truth," she was altogether a citizen of the Dickinson family, and the particular life course that included her achievements as a poet was possible only through the freedom, solitude, and money provided by other members of her immediate family. He seems to be guided by the observations of Higginson, Austin, and Vinnie Dickinson, namely that the Dickinsons were not a family in the conventional sense but rather an assembly of absolute monarchs, each governing an independent domain, and that ED was the only one built to think and whose withdrawal and seclusion was natural and accepted within that assembly.

In his second volume, Sewall gives his narrative of ED's life and work. As a citizen of the Dickinson family, the self-erasure demanded by small-minded, conventional "persons" was unthinkable and unnecessary. Those conventional "persons" were not fully human but rather complex configurations of putrescent organic matter. [And these are the "persons" who define a "normality" that revolts those who are truly and fully human.] Sewall would never state that he had delineated ED's "life course" in so many words. "Perhaps" appears more frequently in his biography than any other word except Dickinson. Yet, he does delineate a life course, and his account is all the more persuasive for his caveats and disclaimers.

In addition, he illuminates certain states of ED's inner life through his presentation and analysis of the letters she exchanged and the poems she penned. This is a prudent strategy given that he only has letters and poems as direct evidence of her experience. Interpreting this evidence is particularly difficult in the case of ED, who assumed many poses and presented herself in different guises, communicating her thoughts and experience in symbols and metaphors.

[An aside: my mother was also a chameleon. On her eightieth birthday, the celebration brought together people who knew different personas, and she knew it. It was the only occasion I ever saw my mother squirm and stutter, much to my amusement.]

So, what Sewall has given us is a context and a life course/trajectory within that context, along which he hangs certain "moments of being" that illuminate states of ED's inner life. His respect for his sources and ED is evident throughout, as in "Who am I to contain ED?" I'm tempted to summarize his description of ED's life course, but I won't because others might confuse my list with the Truth of her life and never read his astonishingly successful biography, which would be a terrible mistake and an unforgivable wrongdoing.

A great and important bio of ED has been an absolute delight to read. I have gone through it several times, and each time I discover new and fascinating details about ED's life. The author has done an excellent job of presenting a comprehensive and engaging account of ED's achievements, struggles, and personal growth. It is truly inspiring to see how ED overcame numerous obstacles to reach great heights. This bio not only provides valuable insights into ED's professional life but also gives a peek into his personal character. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about ED and his remarkable journey. I highly recommend this bio to everyone.

One of the best historical books on Emily's biography is "The Life and Times of Emily." This book offers a comprehensive and in-depth look into the life of Emily, exploring her personal experiences, achievements, and the historical context in which she lived.

The author has painstakingly researched and gathered a wealth of information from various sources, presenting a vivid and detailed portrait of Emily. Through engaging storytelling and well-documented facts, readers are able to gain a deeper understanding of Emily's character, her struggles, and her contributions.

"The Life and Times of Emily" not only provides a fascinating account of one individual's life but also offers valuable insights into the historical period. It sheds light on the social, cultural, and political events that shaped Emily's world and influenced her decisions. This makes the book not only a great read for those interested in Emily's biography but also for anyone interested in history in general.

I have certain reservations. There is an affinity, or rather a bias, towards the todds. There are also ultimately sexist readings of select portions. Additionally, there is a lack of any real insight into gardens or plants in relation to her poetics (?!!!). However, this has also been one of the most "revealing" reading experiences.

I feel as if some of life's greatest mysteries have been illuminated just a little more. I realize that my mysteries were her life for a long time, and perhaps even more. Parts of this will be lodged in me forever. At last, I think I have truly become a student (even though I have supposedly been one all my life). But I am learning the practice anew.

I am beginning to see the world through a different lens, thanks to this reading. It has opened my eyes to new perspectives and made me question my own assumptions. I am excited to continue this journey of learning and discovery, and to see where it takes me.

Read Chapters 2, 8, 9, 19, 20, 22, 23, 28

These chapters hold a wealth of information and interesting stories. Chapter 2 might introduce important characters or set the stage for the events to come. As we move on to Chapter 8, there could be a significant development in the plot or a new perspective emerging. Chapter 9 might further expand on the themes or provide more details about the characters' motivations.

Chapters 19 and 20 could be crucial in advancing the story, perhaps with a major conflict or a turning point. Chapter 22 might offer some insights into the background or history of the setting, adding depth to the overall narrative. Chapter 23 could build on the previous chapters, leading to more excitement and anticipation.

Finally, Chapter 28 might bring the story to a conclusion, tying up loose ends and leaving the reader with a sense of satisfaction or perhaps even a cliffhanger, depending on the nature of the book. Reading these chapters is sure to be an engaging and rewarding experience, as we uncover the secrets and mysteries hidden within the pages.

This was an incredibly fascinating biography of Emily Dickinson.

It provided a wealth of information that allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of the relationships between Emily D. and her immediate family as well as her friends.

Contrary to my initial assumption that she was a recluse, I discovered that she was actually quite connected to many people.

She wrote a countless number of letters, which clearly demonstrated her care and concern for numerous individuals.

The relationships with her sister-in-law Susan Dickinson and others were vividly and even painfully depicted.

Similarly, Lavinia's relationship with Sue Dickinson and her children was also explored in detail.

Although the book was rather long, it was truly worth reading every page.

I found myself reading the footnotes with great interest, as they added even more depth and context to the story.

Overall, I cannot recommend this biography highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the life and works of Emily Dickinson.

Dense and academic, this work presents a wealth of detailed information and profound knowledge.

It is so expansive that it covers a wide range of topics and perspectives, allowing readers to explore and discover new ideas.

The in-depth analysis provided delves into the core of each subject, enabling a comprehensive understanding.

Moreover, the balance achieved between different aspects ensures that no one area is overemphasized or neglected.

With all these qualities combined, it is no wonder that one cannot help but love it.

Whether you are a scholar seeking in-depth knowledge or a curious reader looking for intellectual stimulation, this work has something to offer.

It invites you to embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment, and you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.

So, embrace the density, the expansiveness, the in-depth analysis, and the balance, and let yourself fall in love with this remarkable piece of work.

Okay, first off, if there is someone putting together an ark of things to keep from Earth, my top three contenders to be included are Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, and Emily Dickinson.

Having said that, I must admit that I was rather disappointed in this book. It has been promoted as the biography of Dickinson, and although there is indeed a great deal to admire, I had hoped to gain a deeper understanding of her after reading it. However, that was not the case. In fact, Susan Howe's My Emily Dickinson offers a much more perceptive and, dare I say, shorter treatment.

The good aspects of this book are as follows. It dispels some of the myths surrounding ED as being secluded and isolated. It is exhaustively researched and expansively written. It focuses (mostly) on the important people in her life and their influence on her. The version I read had both volumes in one book. Additionally, I learned that Emily Dickinson had a dog named Carlo.

On the other hand, there are also some drawbacks. By concentrating on the people, it becomes difficult to maintain a clear chronology. For instance, her mother passed away just four years before Emily, yet the text gives the impression that she was absent for most of Emily's life. There is a wealth of research, but to be honest, some of it seems rather tenuous. It's as if the author made conclusions about people and events based on the recollections of grandchildren in 1972. Moreover, it has a tendency to be gossipy. One of my pet peeves is the extensive footnotes, which are sometimes pages long. They would have been better integrated into the narrative or presented as endnotes.

But the worst part is the author's constant insistence that a) Dickinson required some form of romantic outlet in her life and b) that outlet had to be heterosexual. Here is a quote: "Perhaps it was the woman in her, perhaps it was simply a basic human need, but for all her life Emily Dickinson needed an object, a person, on whom she could focus her creative powers." Ugh.

Emily Dickinson is an enigmatic figure in American literature. Her detailed biography, crafted by Sewall, offers a fascinating glimpse into her life. Sewall constructs her profile by delving into the written letters, articles, and other artifacts that were part of ED's existence. By carefully connecting the dots and piecing together the events in ED's timeline, a vivid picture emerges. This biography is a great and detailed read for enthusiasts of Emily Dickinson. It provides valuable insights into her relationships, her creative process, and the events that shaped her unique perspective. Through Sewall's meticulous research and engaging writing, readers can gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable poet and her contributions to the literary world.

The standard and truly excellent Dickinson biography is a remarkable work.

It delves into the various aspects of Dickinson's life, including the infamous Amherst attic where she spent much of her secluded time.

Thomas Higginson, who was not her official editor at The Atlantic Monthly but still had a significant influence on her, is also explored.

Then there is the dreadful Mabel Loomis Todd, who shockingly burned Dickinson's journals, thereby leaving her emotional life an eternal mystery.

This biography is a wonderful and text-enhancing book that offers valuable insights into the life and mind of the great poet Emily Dickinson. It provides a comprehensive and engaging account of her experiences, relationships, and the events that shaped her unique perspective.

Readers will find themselves captivated by the details and the vivid portrayal of Dickinson's world, making it a must-read for anyone interested in her life and work.

This is the most amazing biography.

It takes you on a journey through the life of an extraordinary individual.

You will be captivated by the vivid descriptions of their experiences, challenges, and triumphs.

The author has done an outstanding job of bringing this person's story to life.

You will feel as if you are right there with them, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

This biography is not just a collection of facts, but a true exploration of a remarkable life.

It will inspire you, make you think, and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of the human spirit.

Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning about the lives of others, this is a biography that you do not want to miss.

It is truly a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I really liked this book.

There were indeed some very good aspects in it.

The author had some interesting insights and presented certain ideas that were quite thought-provoking.

However, it seemed that the author got overly bogged down by the in-depth analysis of Dickinson's poetry.

I understand that Dickinson is a renowned poet and there is a wealth of knowledge and inspiration that we can glean from her writing.

But for me, I would have preferred to have less speculation and more concrete facts.

I wanted the author to focus more on presenting the actual details and historical context related to the subject matter, rather than getting lost in theoretical interpretations and guesswork.

Overall, while the book had its merits, the excessive emphasis on the analysis of Dickinson's poetry detracted a bit from my overall enjoyment.