Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 46 votes)
5 stars
13(28%)
4 stars
17(37%)
3 stars
16(35%)
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46 reviews
July 15,2025
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Boring, tedious, and burdened with excessive detail. Parini creates a portrayal of a poet who is privileged and coddled. The excerpts he selects as examples are unclear and frequently have absurd and far-fetched interpretations. Reading this book from beginning to end was a laborious and painstaking task. It fails to inspire the reader to have a desire to revisit the book. Instead, it implants a longing for the book to reach a swift and sudden conclusion, which, unfortunately, takes an inordinately long time to occur.

July 15,2025
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After delving into Randall Jarrell's thought-provoking critical essays on poetry, which urged readers to reevaluate Robert Frost's poetic works, I happened upon this biography in a quaint used bookstore. The reality is that Robert Frost's most renowned poems do not necessarily represent his finest creations. He grappled with the demons of depression and loss, and his writings on these themes were exquisitely crafted.


The author presents a favorable slant,描绘 Frost as a caring husband, a loving father, and a New England "man of the common people." However, he also examines the meticulously cultivated persona that Frost fashioned. The captivating aspects of this biography center around the paradoxes: his intellectual pursuits juxtaposed with the necessity to tend to the farm; the need for solitude contrasted with the longing to be among and engage in conversation with his audience and students; and the public facade versus the private individual.


If you have an inclination to learn more about this American icon, this biography is well worth the read. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and multifaceted life of Robert Frost, shedding light on the various dimensions of his character and the forces that shaped his poetry.

July 15,2025
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This is truly a lovely, lovely read. It has the power to reinvigorate the American people's passion for the American poet.

As one delves into its pages, it seems to breathe new life into the appreciation of poetry. It renews the connection that Americans have with the works and words of their own poets.

Moreover, it enriches this love by presenting the poetry in a fresh and engaging light. It allows readers to discover new nuances and interpretations, further deepening their understanding and admiration.

This book is not just a simple read; it is a journey that takes the reader through the beautiful landscapes of American poetry, leaving them with a sense of wonder and a renewed love for this art form.
July 15,2025
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This is an extremely interesting piece that I came across while conducting research for my American Lit project.

It offers a unique perspective and delves into various aspects that are relevant to the subject matter.

The content is engaging and thought-provoking, making it a valuable resource for my study.

I found myself completely immersed in the text, eager to uncover more details and connections.

It has provided me with new insights and ideas that I can incorporate into my project.

Overall, it has been a great discovery and I look forward to further exploring similar materials to enhance my understanding of American literature.

I am confident that this will contribute significantly to the success of my research project.

July 15,2025
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A brilliant rendering of the New England poet's life can be found in Parini's work. He delves deep into the myth surrounding the poet and exposes the man for all to see, whether in his times of misery or his moments of glory. Parini's insight is truly excellent, as he manages to uncover the hidden aspects of the poet's character and experiences. What I also like about his work is how he skillfully intertwines criticism with biography. He doesn't simply present the facts of the poet's life but also offers his own thoughtful analysis and interpretation. This combination makes for a more engaging and comprehensive read. Overall, Parini's work provides a fascinating look into the life and work of the New England poet, and it is sure to be of interest to anyone who loves poetry or is interested in the lives of great artists.

July 15,2025
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What an excellent biography of Frost!

It took me a while to get through it, mainly due to other commitments that kept pulling my attention away. However, I'm truly glad that I persisted and read this book.

I initially borrowed it from a library, but now I've decided that I will definitely get my own copy of this book for my own sake.

The detailed account of Frost's life and his poetic journey is simply captivating. It offers deep insights into his creative process and the inspirations that drove him.

This biography is very highly recommended to anyone interested in poetry. It not only provides a wealth of information about Frost but also serves as an inspiration for budding poets.

Whether you're a seasoned poetry lover or just starting to explore the world of verse, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.
July 15,2025
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A lovely biography that offers a fine poetical analysis of a selection of Frost poems. However, Parini does have a tendency to lapse into extended detail of (perhaps) trivial aspects of Frost's life. This is a common fault among biographers. I would have preferred to see fewer details about each house Frost inhabited. Instead, I would have liked to have seen a greater detailed poetry analysis. This could have included a deeper exploration of the themes, imagery, and language used in Frost's poems. Additionally, further exploration of Frost's relationships and correspondence would have been interesting. By delving into these areas, we could gain a better understanding of the man behind the poems and how his personal experiences influenced his work.

July 15,2025
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This is by far the most engaging biography that I have come across in a long time. It offers a truly comprehensive and fascinating overview of Frost's life and work. The author has done an excellent job of presenting the details in a vivid and accessible manner, making it a pleasure to read.


Frost's life was filled with both joys and sorrows, and this biography does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of his experiences. From his early years to his later success, we get a clear picture of the man behind the poetry. The author also delves into Frost's work, analyzing his poems and exploring their themes and meanings.


Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in Frost or in American literature in general. It is a beautifully written and highly informative biography that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

July 15,2025
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Robert Frost was born in San Francisco and named after Robert E Lee, whom his father admired.

From the age of 7 until the end of his life, he believed he heard voices. He liked to be alone and just listen, communicating with the spirit-world.

He once said, "We go to college to be given one more chance to learn to read in case we haven't learned in High School. Once we have learned to read, the rest can be trusted to add itself unto us."

His sister suffered from psychological problems, and he feared the same in himself, often suffering from depression. Poetry was for him "a momentary stay against confusion."

He was one of the first poets to use ordinary language, and this early discovery was a "moment of epiphany." Many of his "simple" poems have alternate meanings, often on art itself.

The farm in Derry, MA, was a source of inspiration for him, but it wasn't until his trip to England that he finished many of the poems that became his first book, which was published in England first.

He also lived in the White Mountains of NH to alleviate hay fever and in the Bennington/Arlington/Shaftsbury area of VT.

In addition to farming and poetry, he supported himself with teaching. He originally taught elementary and second grade but spent his career years teaching and being a poet-in-residence, mostly at Amherst.

He said, "They say when you run away from a place it is yourself you are generally running away from and that goes with you and is the first thing you meet in the next place you turn up."

He was awarded 4 Pulitzer Prizes but no Nobel. He was disappointed when Faulkner got the Nobel.

He believed that "Poetry provides the one permissible way of saying one thing and meaning another."

During the 1920s/1930s, there was the Agrarian Movement against industrialism, commercialism, and progress, and Frost adored the Lord of Misrule and was an instigator.

According to Ginsberg, Frost created an audience for poetry readings.

After three of his children died and then his long-married wife, he had what he called the "Corridors of Woe."

He thought that for a person to own a property, he needed to possess it and be possessed by it.

In the 1950s/1960s, he was an ambassador of sorts to Greece, Russia, Israel, etc.

His poems deal with loneliness and total obliteration.

He recited an older poem, "The Gift Outright," at Kennedy's inauguration. JFK asked him to change a line, and he mentioned this as he recited it.

One earlier biography painted him as a harsh, unloving parent, but the author had an ax to grind.
July 15,2025
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A well-researched portrayal of Robert Frost offers a fascinating glimpse into both his life and his poems. Robert Frost was a renowned American poet whose works are deeply rooted in nature, rural life, and the human experience. His life was filled with both joys and sorrows. He grew up in a family that faced financial difficulties, but his love for poetry never wavered. He worked various jobs, including teaching and farming, which provided him with rich素材 for his writing.


Frost's poems are known for their simplicity and profoundness. He used everyday language to express complex emotions and ideas. His works often explore themes such as the beauty and mystery of nature, the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit, and the importance of making choices in life. Some of his most famous poems include "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," and "Mending Wall."


By studying Frost's life and poems, we can gain a deeper understanding of his creative process and the significance of his contributions to American literature. His works continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world, making him one of the most beloved and influential poets of all time.

July 15,2025
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Frost is my 22nd cousin (!), which truly piqued my curiosity and made me eager to learn more about him.

This particular book proved to be an excellent resource. It is not only extremely thorough but also highly readable.

The author does a remarkable job of dispelling some of the myths that have been put forward by other biographers. Instead of simply accepting those false notions, the author delves deep into Frost's life, examining it with a fine-tooth comb.

The book details in great depth how various life events might have had an impact on his poetry. It offers valuable insights into the connection between Frost's personal experiences and the creative output that has made him such a renowned and influential poet.

Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and engaging look at the life and work of Robert Frost, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about this literary giant.
July 15,2025
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Simple poems, complex man.

Poems often seem to be a simple form of expression, with concise words and vivid images. However, behind each poem lies the complex inner world of the poet.

The poet may use simple words to convey profound emotions, such as love, sorrow, joy, or anger. These emotions are often the result of the poet's life experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

Moreover, the poet's choice of words, rhythm, and rhyme also reflects his or her unique personality and style. Some poets prefer a simple and straightforward style, while others like to use more complex and ambiguous language.

In conclusion, although poems may appear simple on the surface, they are actually a reflection of the complex inner world of the poet. By reading poems, we can gain a better understanding of the poet's thoughts and feelings, and also appreciate the beauty and artistry of language.
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