Enlightening

Surprised to find out she had a very active and interesting life. Would not know it by the writings she composed.

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I loved this book.

I picked this book up for the first time in a summer rental house. I couldn't put it down and I had to run out and buy my own copy when I got home. I was not familiar with Millay before reading this book, so I cannot compare it to the million other opinions of her, but as a narrative on its own I have been mesmerized. I think this is an extremely well written biography that captures the essence of the relationships we nuture and cherish. Everytime I pick it up again I slip effortlessly into a different place in time when one could simply be an artist, a genius, and be celebrated. The descriptions are vivid and the narrative is strong and engaging. It's simply a well written book and I loved it.

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Edna St. Vincent Millay, Subject of Nancy Milford (oh, and she was a poet, too)

In this biography, Milford seems to be an historian first and a writer second. Or, perhaps, a prima donna first, an historian second, and then a writer. There is nothing wrong with either order unless one's prerogative in reading happens to be pleasure. Then, dear reader, it seems you have been "punk'd."
While I reveled in the details of Millay's life there were a few I wish Milford would have omitted: the "dramatic natural beauty" of the New England where Millay grew up; the lack of transition between paragraphs; and, perhaps the most aggravating, Milford herself! While the author has undoubtedly waded through a great deal of documents and interviews, one feels she doesn't quite know what to do with them. Other reviewers have noted that Milford hasn't processed or analyzed much of the material, but simply dumps it on the reader to sort out. And I agree. Further, she parades Millay's surviving sister, Norma, about as a primary source. However, while Norma's reflections and recollections are used when convenient, she seems to serve largely as the vehicle for Milford to infiltrate her own subject's biography! Indeed, while Norma is portrayed as a loving and level-headed sister and human being in the text, the prologue paints her as fickle, selfish, and maniuplative while Milford is the one righteous and serene. Other scenes and dialogues involving Norma seem random until one realizes Milford is characterizing Norma or inserting herself (once, as the object of Norma's sexual advance. The vixen!) One is reminded of Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson" which scholars joke ought to be renamed, "Samuel Johnson, Friend of James Boswell." If Milford could get out of her own way, this would likely be a very fine read. Truthfully, I did not dislike it. Not entirely. I only wish it were friendlier to those of us not preparing for assignments on great American poets. And an homage to Millay rather than to Milford.

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