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.

Maybe Wagner leaned too much on the emotional content of the poetry.

However, in all, she manages to provide a fairly clear-headed text.

She compares Birthday Letters to Plath's work, highlighting the similarities and differences.

Moreover, she integrates it with the Hughes' lives, showing how their relationship and experiences influenced the poetry.

This gives the readers a deeper understanding of both the poetry and the people behind it.

Overall, Wagner's analysis is a valuable contribution to the study of Plath and Hughes' works.

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 have a great passion for reading biographies of poets. Among them, I have a special affection for "The Bell Jar" by Plath and the movie "The Iron Giant" related to Hughes.

Recently, I came across a book that I found extremely interesting and insightful. It was about two very intense artists. The way the author presented their lives and works made me look at them from a different perspective.

I also borrowed and perused "Ariel" by Plath. However, after reading it, I have to admit that I now believe I don't fully understand poetry. There are so many hidden meanings and emotions in her words that I struggle to grasp. But this experience has also made me more determined to explore and learn more about the world of poetry.

Overall, my journey through these literary works and the movie has been a fascinating one, filled with new discoveries and a deeper appreciation for the art of poetry and the lives of the poets who create it.

7.2/10

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.

I can't help but think that Plath was a cash cow for Hughes.

Sylvia Plath was an extremely talented poet, but her relationship with Ted Hughes was complex and controversial.

Some people believe that Hughes may have taken advantage of Plath's talent and popularity for his own gain.

After Plath's tragic death, Hughes continued to publish her work and benefit from it financially.

This has led to accusations that he was more interested in profiting from her than in truly honoring her memory.

However, it is important to note that Hughes also had his own artistic achievements and may have had other motives for publishing Plath's work.

The relationship between Plath and Hughes remains a subject of debate and speculation, and it is difficult to know the full truth.

Nevertheless, the idea that Plath was simply a cash cow for Hughes is a disturbing one and highlights the importance of treating artists with respect and integrity.

"Birthday Letters" is an absolutely awesome book.

It is a collection of poems that offers a unique and deeply personal exploration of relationships and emotions.

The author's words have the power to transport the reader into a world of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Each poem is like a precious gem, carefully crafted and filled with vivid imagery and profound insights.

The language used is both beautiful and accessible, making it a joy to read for poetry enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

"Birthday Letters" is not just a book of poems; it is a work of art that will touch your heart and leave a lasting impression.

Whether you are looking for inspiration, comfort, or simply a good read, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and communicate it in a way that is both moving and unforgettable.

So, if you haven't already read "Birthday Letters," I highly recommend that you do so.

You won't be disappointed!

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.

An excellent analysis of the work of both Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath has been presented.

I now realize that I failed to recognize the sheer brilliance of the poetry contained in Hughes's "Birthday Letters". While I did enjoy the poems and particularly appreciated the insights it provided into the complex marriage of Plath and Hughes, I did not fully understand the significance or poetic genius of the work.

Erica Wagner has given me a greater understanding and appreciation for both Plath and Hughes. Wagner is refreshingly not as anti-Ted as most Sylvia Plath writers. She seems fair-minded and objective, yet asserts that perhaps the public (and especially those rowdy feminists) ought to cut Ted a little slack.

What I perceived as an evasion of blame in Ted's "Birthday Letters", Wagner views as evidence of Ted Hughes's belief in the 'ultimate Will' of the Universe - more often known as "FATE". For Ted, Sylvia's poetic voice - the one we find in "Ariel" - was no less than the voice of God. Sadly, that voice was also the voice of her ultimate demise.

This analysis has opened my eyes to the depth and complexity of the works of both Hughes and Plath, and has made me reevaluate my previous understanding of their poetry.

I picked up this book on a whim, with no real prior exposure to Plath or Hughes.

What a fascinating eye-opener it turned out to be!

The author has provided an informed and insightful presentation of Hughes's Birthday Letters, which is his own biographical poetry account of his relationship with Plath.

Through the book, one gets a sense of the general history of their marriage.

The vortex of issues and passions that their relationship goes through is disturbingly fascinating.

The author presents the Plath experience through her poetry, and then balances that against what Hughes presents, many years later, in Birthday Letters.

One cannot help but wonder about the roller-coaster that Hughes silently lived through, not only during his marriage but also after her death, for which he was vilified.

I heartily recommend this book.

It is a great presentation of a story that, and I hate to use the word yet again, is fascinating.

I have since picked up Birthday Letters and now look forward to exploring the poetry of both Hughes and Plath.

This book has truly piqued my interest and has opened up a new world of literary exploration for me.

When I delved into the study of Literature back in the 1980s, "The Bell Jar" was赫然 on the curriculum. It left an impression on me, perhaps in the context of what I later learned about Plath and her marriage to Ted Hughes. However, otherwise, it wasn't exactly a favorite read.

Much later on, I began to explore some of Ted Hughes' poetry. But truth be told, I really couldn't fathom why he was regarded as such a great poet. Then, last year, I embarked on reading "Birthday Letters" and was completely bowled over. I firmly believe it is the finest book of poetry I have come across thus far.

Subsequently, I became aware of this particular book that delves into both "Birthday Letters" and Plath's poetry. My husband, ever so thoughtful, managed to procure it for me. After I had recuperated from reading "Birthday Letters," I dove into this new book and completed it just last night.

In the beginning, I was convinced it was sheer genius. The author's cleverness in juggling "Birthday Letters" and various works by Plath was truly remarkable. But as I reached about the halfway point, I often found myself in a state of confusion. Several times, when the author referred to "the poet," I wasn't certain whether she meant Plath or Hughes, and I had to reread the sentences. This, unfortunately, diminished the pleasure of reading a little.

And in case you happen to be interested in the feud between Hughes and Plath-fans, I initially leaned more towards Plath and the interpretation that he had driven her to suicide. But in the end, I found myself siding with Hughes. He was such an undeniably brilliant poet who just happened to have been associated with not one, but two women who took their own lives, with the last one even taking their daughter's life as well.

Oh, and by the way, take a look at the cover. Has anyone ever seemed more extravagantly happy together than these two?

This was truly a remarkable and enjoyable read.

Although I'm not typically inclined towards nonfiction, I found myself deeply engaged in Ted and Sylvia's story.

This biography was exceptionally well-written. It vividly recounted the tale of the couple through the medium of their poetry.

The imagery that both of them employed was incredibly mystical and whimsical, transporting the reader into a world of their own creation.

I'm not here to pass judgment on their private lives. After all, everyone has their own unique journey and experiences.

Both Ted and Sylvia were undeniably great artists, with a profound talent for expressing their emotions and ideas through words.

They were also interesting individuals, with complex personalities and a rich inner life.

In conclusion, this biography provided a fascinating glimpse into the lives and works of two remarkable individuals, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in poetry or literary history.

That's all there is to it.