What a truly splendid research work has been accomplished by Nancy Milford in vividly depicting the life and work of this remarkable poetess.

By delving into her letters and the correspondence between Edna Millay (who signed her letters as Vincent) and her family and friends such as Edmund Wilson and George Dillon (who translated Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs du Mal"), we are able to closely follow her brilliant career path. We can observe how she encountered and interacted with some truly remarkable writers and poets.

Millay holds the distinction of being the first woman to ever win the Pulitzer Prize, a testament to her extraordinary talent and literary achievements.

Some of Millay's works that were published until 1923 have now entered the public domain and will be published by Project Gutenberg. This presents a wonderful opportunity for all literature enthusiasts. Do not miss out on these precious literary gems!

The American poet and playwright Edna St. Vincent Millay was born into an impoverished family in Maine in 1892.

Seemingly child-like and fragile, Millay was also incredibly ambitious and supremely confident. In 1918 her published short poem, ‘First Fig’ became a sensation. She became the spokesperson for the New Woman, smoked in public and was open about her sexuality.

‘My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends – It gives a lovely light!’

Millay had a theatrical bent, as did her mother and two sisters. Her dramatic poetry readings were immensely popular and drove the sale of her work, even during the Depression of the 1930’s.

As the writer/critic, Edmund Wilson noted, she had an ‘intoxicating effect on people... of all ages and both sexes.’ Millay had numerous sexual relationships with both men and women, which served as fodder and fuel for her poetry.

She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Her success was assured, but she was prone to depression, addiction and numerous illnesses.

In later life, Millay became an addict and an alcoholic. She used morphine and various other pharmaceuticals and washed the lot down with wine. Her husband Eugen Boissevain, who doted on her, also became addicted to morphine.

Millay’s relationship with her mother and sisters was extremely close. According to her sister Norma, sometimes too close. The family veered into obsession, co-dependency and repressed loathing. Millay’s death was tragic; she died alone one night, when she fell down a flight of stairs in her own home. She was fifty-eight.

Nancy Milford gained access to Millay’s personal papers and she also spent considerable time with her sister, Norma. Millay’s repeated attempts to give up morphine are heartbreaking, as she kept a meticulous drug notebook, documented every single shot and berated herself.

I found this biography really engaging and Milford brings Millay to life. By the end of the book I felt like I’d met her. It was a fascinating journey into the life of a complex and talented woman.

A biography of the trailblazing poet, laureate of the good twenties, is a remarkable work. It took thirty years to create, allowing Milford to speak directly to the last survivors among Millay's Jazz Age peers, including her sister Norma. Norma, the custodian of the legacy, had planned to write Edna's biography herself, adding an interesting layer to the narrative.

The book not only offers a magisterial account but also delves deeply into the personal aspects of Millay's life. It explores her sapphic dalliances and the complex relationships within her family. The descriptions and quotes bring Milford's subject to life, painting a vivid picture of a mesmerizing figure.

Despite some gaps in the narrative, the biography gives a real sense of Millay's life and work. It showcases her as a revolutionary poet, a harbinger of the New Woman, and a pioneer in many ways. The inclusion of her poems, often compared with early and unpublished versions, adds another dimension to the story.

Overall, this biography is a captivating read, a feat of artistry that combines historical research with personal insights. It provides a fascinating look into the life of a remarkable poet and the era in which she lived.

Even in the midst of the current pandemic, reading about Millay's life and the events of the past is a reminder of how far we have come and how much we have in common with those who came before us.

I often found myself thinking, "God, when will I ever finish this book? Why am I so committed to it?"

I believe it's because, at a crucial moment, the morphine addiction began, which was always exciting in a strange way. Then, of course, I had to endure the terrible and boring part of any addiction. :/

Spoiler alert: she dies. Everyone dies eventually, and the narrative of their life comes to an end.

I really liked the parts where she was a hot, popular, and talented lesbian. And then when every man fell in love with her. Later, when she was in fully polyamorous relationships with gorgeous, pouty younger men and her husband was amazing and supportive. It gives me hope! I'm tired of being the pouty younger man, but I sure would love to have a partner who took care of everything so that I could just write and seduce. A girl can dream...

After all, in this fictional world, anything is possible, and these stories allow us to escape and imagine a different life for ourselves.