Savage Beauty

I just finished reading Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St.Vincent Millay. I guess I didn’t realize it was 600 pages when I started. It certainly felt like it by the time I was done. I couldn’t say it was boring, but it was long.

Vincent, as she is called, is a fascinating character. How she practiced her art and made a living as a poet in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s is pretty amazing. And, she is unconventional, to be sure.

The book was chosen by USA Today as one of the top ten books of the year (2002?). It is thorough and events are often presented through letters of those involved. Ah, for the age of correspondence! And, her poetry is sprinkled throughout. I have to say that because of the poetry, I wish I had read the book in hardcover (vs. Kindle) – the lines did not break as they should have, which detracted a bit from the flow of the verses.

Do I recommend it? Um, yes.