Jane Kenyon: A Literary Life

By John H. Timmerman

Book Overview

Luci Shaw
"Jane Kenyon is a redemptive poet. The raw materials of her living -- the landscapes, the garden, the paradoxes of faith, depression, and illness -- form the stuff of her profound creative work. Using examples from her writings, both prose and poetry, John Timmerman perceptively describes the unfolding of Kenyon's life as a poet and shows how many of her poems happened -- their drafting and revision -- as well as how the details of her life in New Hampshire prove to be the hooks on which her marvelous poems hang."

Choice
"An appreciative reading of a poet who worked her craft so well and died so young. . . Timmerman] makes good use of Kenyon's letters, journals, unpublished prose, and most important, drafts of poems. . . Highly recommended."

New York Times Book Review
"Timmerman's minute textual analysis of Kenyon's] poetry and his detailed demonstration of how 'the language changes, how the poem grows and comes into focus, ' as Kenyon described her creative process, is informed and enlightening."

Billy Collins
"John H. Timmerman has written one of those exceptional critical biographies that always bear in mind the processes by which life and art are intimately braided together. With one eye on the dramatic journey of Jane Kenyon's life and the other on the fine details of her craft, he gives us a new perspective on the poetry and the spirit of this remarkable, too-soon-departed poet."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802863264
• ISBN13: 9780802863263
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great study a a life and poetry

This is a great book. I loved the first several chapters detailing Jane Kenyon's life and marriage, The following chapters break down each of her books with thoughtful insight that both hearkens back to her life story, and expands on her fantastic use of poetic tools and techniques. I emailed the author while reading and told him of my excitement and appreciation for his work. He told me that, of all his books, he had the most emotional connection to this book. It is very clear he was both academically and emotionally committed to Jane Kenyon and Don Hall.

Satisfying - Couldn't Put it Down

As someone who adores Jane Kenyon and her writings, I looked forward to this book for months, and wasn't disappointed. It was especially enlightening to read excerpts from her teenage journals and see the early writings of the woman she would turn into; she never lost her sense of self, humor and determinedness.Those who know her poems will be delighted to learn of the early drafts and background to their writing. Kenyon's husband, Donald Hall, also adds pertinent commentary. This book will reward you and send you back to the poems and writings of this wonderful woman.