This piece holds significant value both as a character study and as a source of nostalgia for an era when it was possible for someone to live in such a way.

The text offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and personality of the subject, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of their unique qualities and experiences.

Accompanying the text are great photos that further enhance the overall impact. These images provide a visual representation of the era and bring the story to life in a vivid and engaging manner.

Together, the text and photos create a powerful and evocative portrayal that transports readers back in time and leaves them with a sense of wonder and appreciation for a bygone age.

Whether one is interested in character studies, history, or simply enjoys beautiful photography, this article has something to offer. It is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the past and gain a new perspective on the way people lived and interacted.

Overall, it is a captivating and thought-provoking piece that will surely leave a lasting impression on its readers.

I really enjoyed it.

It was an experience that brought me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction.

The details and the way it was presented were truly captivating.

From the very beginning, I was drawn in and couldn't wait to see what would come next.

Each moment was filled with excitement and anticipation.

It made me feel a range of emotions, from joy to wonder.

I found myself completely immersed in it, forgetting about everything else around me.

The quality of it was outstanding, and I would highly recommend it to others.

Overall, it was a wonderful thing that I will remember for a long time.

I look forward to having more experiences like this in the future.

ESVM's life is indeed remarkable and worthy of being shared. However, when it comes to her, I would much rather engage with her poems than read her biography. It's quite ironic because I just taught my American lit students that one of the key distinctions between postmodernism and other eras is that postmodernists tend to overlook the author and the intended meaning of their works, instead concentrating on the individual interpretations of each reader. Evidently, I seem to be a true postmodernist in this regard.

In all honesty, Millay was an absolute giant of creativity, a powerhouse of energy, and a pioneer who fearlessly pursued whatever it was that ignited her passions, regardless of the expectations placed upon her. Nevertheless, I'm not sure if I would have been able to complete reading this if it hadn't been in the form of an audiobook, which allowed me to multitask and make progress while doing other things.

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 an outstanding biography. It offers an in-depth and detailed exploration of the life of this renowned American poet.

Milford's research is evident throughout, as she takes us on a journey from Millay's humble beginnings in rural Maine to her ascent as a literary star in the early 20th century. The author delves into Millay's personal relationships, creative process, and the social forces that influenced her work.

What makes this biography truly special is Milford's ability to capture Millay's essence. She explores the impact of Millay's poetry on the literary world and the lasting legacy she left behind. The prose is engaging and vivid, bringing Millay's world to life and allowing readers to connect with her on a personal level.

One notable aspect is Milford's treatment of Millay's complex relationships and sexuality. She presents a sensitive and nuanced portrayal, highlighting the challenges Millay faced as a woman defying social norms.

However, the biography does have some drawbacks. At times, the narrative can feel overly detailed and dense, overwhelming the reader with information. Additionally, the extensive focus on personal relationships may be seen as excessive by some.

Despite these minor flaws, Savage Beauty remains a definitive work on Edna St. Vincent Millay. It provides a rich and multi-faceted exploration of her life and work. Milford's passion for her subject is palpable, and her understanding of Millay's poetry adds depth to the narrative.

In conclusion, this biography is a must-read for fans of Millay's poetry and those interested in the lives of influential women writers. It offers a captivating and comprehensive look into the life and artistic legacy of Edna St. Vincent Millay.

(Also currently one of my favorite books)

I haven't read a vast number of biographies of writers. However, this year I delved into two, and I believe I've discerned what the most significant challenge is in chronicling the life of a creative individual.

Most of them don't leave behind an abundance of writing regarding their creative process. Consequently, any biography of a writer will inevitably focus on what can be documented - their diverse relationships, their travels, the awards they've received, and the bad behavior that others witnessed and never forgot. This is all fine and good. After all, I think the majority of people who read biographies are seeking this kind of detail about the subject's life. And when it comes to the creative process, they are content to let the work speak for itself.

The problem that emerges, though, is that the subject can become so detached from her creative output that when she is quoted saying something that showcases her intellect and her intense focus on her work, it can be almost shocking. You suddenly recall that Millay, for example, isn't just a woman with numerous lovers and an active social life; she is also a poet. In this particular instance, I think Nancy Milford didn't entirely understand Millay, and as a result, is unable to integrate her more, let's say, impulsive side with the obviously disciplined mind that produced all those popular and highly praised works.

The other issue with biographies is that when the subject has self-destructive tendencies - as unfortunately, a significant number of creative types do - the whole thing just tends to end very poorly, even devastatingly. I sort of wish I didn't know some of the things I now know about Edna St. Vincent Millay.

But I still wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this! This book was a massive endeavor, yet it is very well constructed and doesn't feel cumbersome at all. Some Goodreads reviewers have griped that this is boring or not salacious enough, but I disagree on both accounts. This is a long book, but it is fascinating, entertaining, and brimming with information. The actual conversations Milford was able to have with Edna's sister Norma add a unique perspective that no other portrayal of Millay will ever attain. I'm certain others will attempt to document Millay's life, but this book will be difficult, if not impossible, to surpass.

I think my favourite part of this book was the allusion that Millay owned and used an ivory dildo.

This detail added a certain element of mystery and intrigue to her character. It made me wonder about her personal life and the choices she made.

The use of such an allusion also shows the author's boldness and willingness to explore the more unconventional aspects of a person's life.

It makes the book more engaging and thought-provoking, as it challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to look at Millay in a new light.

Overall, this allusion was a fascinating and memorable part of the book that left a lasting impression on me.

This is truly disappointing when it comes to a biography.

Milford's account sorely lacks a unified thesis regarding her subject. Instead, it jumps haphazardly between contemporary views of the subject, making the reading experience something similar to looking into a series of funhouse mirrors. She appears to only consult contemporary literary criticism, when a reassessment of Millay's literary merit compared to her personal appeal is clearly warranted, considering that her popularity in both aspects doesn't seem to have endured the test of time.

A more critical comparison of Millay's work with that of her mother and sisters could have been fascinating as well. Her role in endorsing E. E. Cummings for the Guggenheim Fellowship might be regarded as insightful. But was poetry really the best utilization of her talents, or was this the profession chosen for her by her mother?

At times, Milford seems almost to idolize the young Millay; at other times, she seems to pass judgment on her addictions. Both of these attitudes do a disservice to her subject. The biography was written at the request of Millay's sister Norma, and Milford seems to show the influence of that.

Biography must be both honest and compassionately critical. I sincerely hope that this is not the last biography of Millay to be written.

Savage beauty indeed. The title is lifted from the last lines in her lover's poem, not her hubby's, because they were open when marriages weren't. Vincent was almost a cad from the reverse angle. But her vicious appetites lingered, and the question was who could tame them. Ms. Milford fairly hits it again with her subject, like "Zelda". These two ladies were swinging hammers amongst the men, hitting the nails on the head that broke down the walls of resistance to women's yarns and heft.

It's a fascinating exploration of these strong and complex women. Their stories are not only about love and passion but also about breaking free from the constraints of society. The vivid descriptions and the unique perspectives make this a captivating read.

One can't help but be drawn into their world and feel the intensity of their emotions. It's a reminder that even in a time when women faced many obstacles, there were those who were fearless and determined to make their mark.

The reader has to be a fan of poetry indeed, for this is a rather dense account of a captivating, willful, and gifted individual.

She would be extremely irritating were it not for her remarkable writing. The biography quotes her poems quite liberally, yet offers relatively scant commentary on them.

Meanwhile, the central figure, with her diminutive frame, bright red hair, and beautiful voice, cuts a startling physical presence. She races through lovers of both sexes at an astonishing pace.

I'm inclined to believe that this was more about the necessity of finding a subject for passionate poems rather than the relationships themselves.

As her physical presence wanes with age, she descends into drug addiction and alcoholism, evoking all the pathos one would anticipate.

But few poets have so consistently delved into a woman's perspective on love with such unwavering intensity and such dry humor.

Her works are a testament to her unique vision and the power of her poetic expression.

Despite her flaws and the turmoil in her life, her poetry endures, captivating readers and offering a profound exploration of the human heart and the complexities of love.

This felt like a 3.5-star experience indeed.

It was a bit of a struggle to get through, somewhat disjointed, especially as it neared the end. I concur with other reviewers who noted that the author inserted herself a bit too prominently into the story.

However, Edna is a captivating individual. In some respects, she is rather tragic, yet in others, she is brilliant. Her extremely bohemian lifestyle and complete disregard for what others might think of her unconventional love life are quite remarkable.

She had a large number of dedicated admirers and a publisher who seemed to do everything possible to support her.

I didn't gain a great understanding of her poetry, though that might be more my fault than the author's. We don't get much exploration of how and why Edna became an addict or a deep insight into her marriage.

To me, the most intriguing aspects were the relationships between the sisters and their mother, which alternated between intense love and bitter resentment, and the unwavering love, care, and dedication from Edna's husband Eugene.

Milford was extremely fortunate to gain access to the sister of Edna St Vincent Millay. The sister had held onto Edna's letters with the intention of writing a book about her one day, but unfortunately, she never got around to it. Eventually, she gave up and handed over the precious material to Milford. It's worth noting that the sister did destroy some sexually explicit content, presumably to protect Edna's reputation. However, from a personal perspective, I wish she had simply let everything remain as it was. After all, the truth is the truth, and adults should be capable of handling such material. Milford refers to Edna as a modern-day Byron, highlighting that her personality was a significant part of her appeal.

Here is my all-time favorite love poem/sonnet by Millay: "Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink / Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain; / Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink / And rise and sink and rise and sink again; / Love can not fill the thickened lung with breath, / Nor clean the blood, nor set the fractured bone; / Yet many a man is making friends with death / Even as I speak, for lack of love alone. / It well may be that in a difficult hour, / Pinned down by pain and moaning for release, / Or nagged by want past resolution's power, / I might be driven to sell your love for peace, / Or trade the memory of this night for food. / It well may be. I do not think I would."

Another great love sonnet by Millay is: "I shall forget you presently, my dear, / So make the most of this, your little day, / Your little month, your little half a year, / Ere I forget, or die, or move away, / And we are done forever; by and by / I shall forget you, as I said, but now, / If you entreat me with your loveliest lie / I will protest you with my favorite vow. / I would indeed that love were longer-lived, / And oaths were not so brittle as they are, / But so it is, and nature has contrived / To struggle on without a break thus far,— / Whether or not we find what we are seeking / Is idle, biologically speaking."

A third sonnet by Millay, one of her first great works, was written after an affair with a married man ended: "Pity me not because the light of day / At close of day no longer walks the sky; / Pity me not for beauties passed away / From field and thicket as the the year goes by; / Pity me not the waning of the moon, / Nor that the ebbing tide goes out to sea, / Nor that a man's desire is hushed so soon, / And you no longer look with love on me. / This have I known always: Love is no more / Than the wide blossom which the wind assails, / Than the great tide that treads the shifting shore, / Strewing fresh wreckage gathered in the gales: / Pity me that the heart is slow to learn / What the swift mind beholds at ever turn."

And here is a fourth sonnet: "What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, / I have forgotten, and what arms have lain / Under my head till morning; but the rain / Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh / Upon the glass and listen for reply; / And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain / For unremembered lads that not again / Will turn to me at midnight with a cry. / Thus in the winter stands a lonely tree, / Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one, / Yet know its boughs more silent than before: / I cannot say what loves have come and gone; / I only know that summer sang in me / A little while, that in me sings no more."

The book about Edna St Vincent Millay is thoroughly researched. However, this can also be a flaw as it can become overly detailed, and there are some details that I could have done without. I would absolutely love to see a Masterpiece Theater series based on her life, which would bring her story to a wider audience and allow people to better understand the complexity and魅力 of this remarkable poet.

Why is this book not being made into a biopic?

With the national obsession with poetry slams, the story of this gamine genius has enough salacious content to engross the world for 2.5 hours and start a renaissance for the poetry of one of the 20th century’s most influential women.

Edna St. Vincent Millay came from a brutally poor but extremely close family of women. Her father wandered off and only turned up much later to ask for help before dying. The family highly valued learning and literature. Edna used every scrap of her talent and intellect to rise to the top of the field and become the voice of her generation.

She was free spirited, passionate and bisexual. Millay pushed the boundaries of what women should and could do in society. She conquered America with her elfin looks and impassioned readings and then went on to conquer Europe as well.

Edna was devoted to her mother and sisters. As soon as she started to make a living, she helped them to raise their circumstances.

As passionate and outspoken as she was, she inevitably attracted the attention of influential people everywhere she went. She was fiercely loyal and ethical, except when it came to liaisons with married men (or women), with whom she had an inordinate number of affairs.

She finally married a Dutch businessman who became her devoted partner for decades. They struggled together through financial difficulties, drug and alcohol addiction, world wars, and the loss of youth, health and beauty. They died only a year apart.

Her story is tragic, but I hope that her example of using her sexuality, intellect, charm and wit to win her independence and fame will speak to generations of women. Also, her tragic battles with addiction are a cautionary tale. She fought, she nearly won and she left a priceless legacy.