Robert Frost Himself - Hardcover

Burnshaw, Stanley

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807611646 ISBN 13: 9780807611647

Publisher: George Braziller Inc., 1986

Synopsis

Through memoir, biography, literary history and critical study, Burnshaw presents new information about Frost that defuses the "monster myth" created by Frost's official biographer.

"The book has an important purpose: to rescue Frost from the negative image that has lingered like a dark storm cloud since Lawrence Thompson's three-volume biography. Frost told Burnshaw, his long-time friend and sometimes editor, 'I'm counting on you to protect me from Larry,' and Burnshaw's mix of biography and criticism here fulfills Frost's hope. The final two chapters in particular argue for the humane and generous Frost, in contrast to the maniacal monster of Thompson's account, and for the poet genius whose work makes him one of the giants of modern poetry. Important as a turn in scholarly debate, this book is also sure to engage a variety of general readers."―Library Journal

About this title

About the Author:

Stanley Burnshaw was an influential American poet, primarily known for his ontology, The Seamless Web (1970). His style was particularly writing political poems, prose, and editorials.

From Publishers Weekly:

The unfortunately influential "monster-myth" created by the poet's "official" biographer Lawrance Thompson stands here convincingly corrected. Spurred by Frost's injunction, "I'm counting on you to protect me from Larry," Burnshawpoet, friend of Frost and editor of his last book of poems and Selected Lettersuses hitherto unpublished material, personal reminiscence, a wide variety of critical opinions and Thompson's own recently released biographical notes to provide a view of the complex, elusive Frost, as poet and person, that is at once searching and balanced. Against the jealousy, competitiveness and "bursts of bad behavior" emphasized by Thompson are set the generosity, the humor and the legendary "talk-spiels," plus the poetic subtlety that Thompson, charges Burnshaw, failed to understand. A final chapter contains sharp assessments of Frost by fellow poets and a firework display of his thoughts on poetry. Photos.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: George Braziller Inc.
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0807611646
• ISBN 13: 9780807611647
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 358