Reread this while putting the baby to sleep. I have a deep affection for Plath. Her works are like a mysterious and captivating world that draws me in. The way she expresses emotions and experiences through her words is truly remarkable. It's as if she is able to touch the very essence of the human condition. Plath's poetry and prose have a unique power that can move me to tears or make me think deeply about life. When I read her works, I feel a connection with her that is both profound and personal. It's like she is sharing her most intimate thoughts and feelings with me, and I am privileged to listen. Rereading her works while putting the baby to sleep is a special moment for me. It allows me to relax and沉浸 in her world, while also enjoying the peaceful presence of my child.
Ariel's Gift: Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and the Story of Birthday Letters
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,2000
This edition
- Format
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322 pages, Paperback
- Published
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April 17, 2002 by W. W. Norton \u0026 Company
- ISBN
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9780393323016
- ASIN
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0393323013
- Language
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English
About the author
She is the author of several books, including a collection of short stories, Gravity, and Ariel's Gift: Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath and the Story of Birthday Letters, and the novel Seizure.
Her husband, Francis Gilbert, is author of I'm a Teacher, Get Me Out of Here!. She also reviews regularly for The New York Times. A judge for the Man Booker Prize in 2002 and 2014.
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Community Reviews
Lettura appagante quanto impegnativa...
We have a concise analysis of Hughes' "Birthday Letters" poems and those of Sylvia. The analyses are accompanied by a biography that delves into the life of the couple dating back to the time when the verses were written.
Often there are references both to the diaries and to the letters written to the mother. And before embarking on this reading, I recommend reading these latter thoroughly.
I recommend this book to those who seek an explanation of the verses of the poems and who are passionate about Plath and confessional poetry in general.
10/10
I picked up this work after laboriously going through the collected poems of Ted Hughes. My intention was to either become more generous in my assessment or gain a deeper understanding of the "birthday letters". However, I must admit that this has not significantly changed my opinion. I still view them as a collection of self-deluding camouflage. I don't believe that Ted Hughes was the sole cause of Sylvia Plath's suicide, just as I don't think the "birthday letters" can comprehensively explain their marriage, Plath's mental illness, Hughes's infidelities, and Plath's suicide, in that approximate order. In modern terms: it is what it is. No one can control the desires of the heart. BUT... I have little patience for the self-deluded drivel that comes perilously close to juvenile justifications. Hughes was his own advocate, and whether he did it effectively or not, that was sufficient. Wagner doesn't offer any more clarity on the "letters" other than hinting that she was rather partial to Hughes's side of the story. On the surface, the book seems impartial, but the underlying current tells a different tale. At the very least, the title is a misnomer for all those who seek a more balanced perspective on what has already been written.
Poets in love, their hearts filled with passion and tenderness, pen beautiful verses that celebrate the joys of romance. They describe the way their beloved's smile lights up a room or the feel of their touch.
Poets in hate, on the other hand, express their anger and frustration through powerful words. They may write about a broken relationship or a person who has wronged them.
Sometimes, poets write poems for one another, sharing their thoughts and emotions in a unique and creative way. These poems can be a source of inspiration and comfort for both the writer and the reader.
And then there are the poems that are analyzed to reconfigure heartbreak. By examining the words and imagery used in a poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of the poet's pain and perhaps find a way to heal our own hearts.
Yes, poets have the power to touch our souls and make us feel things we never thought possible. Their words can bring us joy, sadness, anger, and love. They are the voice of our emotions, and we should cherish their work.