Early Poems

By Edna St. Vincent Millay

Book Overview

One of the most successful poets in America and a fascinating literary figure of the early twentieth century, Edna St. Vincent Millay found her voice in a national poetry contest at the age of twenty. Her poems received critical praise and became the first step toward receiving the Pulitzer Award years later. An acclaimed poet of the Jazz Age, this liberated, often rebellious, woman enchanted us with her beautiful sonnets and lyrics, even as she surprised us with her unconventional personal life. This vibrant volume includes the complete selection of poems from Millay's first three books. Each gem reflects a different facet of the author's versatility.
Renascence and Other Poems was Millay's first collection of poetry, a literary sensation when it was published in 1912. Acclaimed by critics for its remarkable use of compelling language and imagery, it is a deeply personal work that reflects the poet's spiritual awakening, using the themes of death and resurrection. In contrast, the poetry in A Few Figs from Thistles represents a cynical stage, a time of rebellion, and a search for personal freedom, as depicted in her famous line, "My candle burns at both ends." Part beauty, part despair, the free verse and heartfelt sonnets of Second April are an expression of Millay's feelings about love and disillusionment. Eloquent, daring, and sometimes bittersweet, these masterful lyrics exemplify the best work of a complex, passionate, and gifted poet. Includes a selection from the Common Core State Standards Initiative: "Afternoon on a Hill."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486436721
• ISBN13: 9780486436722
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

The Best of Edna Millay - with wonderful commentary!

A very fine presentation of the early work of Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of our finest American poets. I find her work to be in a class of its own, reaching out to the human spirit.The presentation in this book of her first three published works really exposes the reader to Millay at the top of her form. For me, the notes and commentary of Editor Holly Peppe helped greatly. Dr. Peppe's analysis is extremely readable and shows a wonderful understanding of her subject. In her introduction Holly Peppe gives an excellent overview of Ms. Millay's life as well as her art. And I found her notes in this book on Millay's writing to be interesting and insightful. HIGHLY recommended!

It's an important and lovely book.

This book is a lovely way to return to Edna St. Vincent Millay's early radiant poetry or to read it for the first time. Editor Holly Peppe's important and knowlegable introduction answers many lingering questions about Millay's place as a poet, her experience as a woman, and her originality as an artist. Highly recommended!