Rate this book

La Doppia Vita Di Rimbaud (2009)

by Edmund White(Favorite Author)

3.86 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

887521235X (ISBN13: 9788875212353)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Minimum Fax

review 1: Strictly speaking this is not a biography of Rimbaud nor does White claim it to be. In fact he recommends the best biographies in English and French in his bibliography. He also states clearly that he is indebted for his research to Graham Robb's biography. He makes no claim to original research or insights but he does put a few of Enid Starkie's wilder claims to bed as being nothing but wild speculation or a fruit of whatever psychological theory happened to be in vogue at the time.It is a simple introduction to the poet's life and his relationship with Verlaine drawn with broad brush strokes. What White does however is give lots of examples of Rimbaud's poetry in context and explores some of the meanings behind the words. It is basically an art critics appraisal of Rimba... moreud's work without going into too much detail. So if you want a broad introduction to Rimbaud and Verlaine's troubled relationship, his poetry, and why he is held in such high regard for such a small output over four years then this is the book for you.
review 2: This seems like the best introduction you could find to Rimbaud's life and work. White's biography moves at a brisk pace, describing Rimbaud's visionary approach to poetry and his intolerable personification of the Romantic artistic ideal -- it sounds great to achieve a "complete disordering of the senses" until you actually try it in your real life. Verlaine comes across as pathetic, Rimbaud as impossible. Maybe they were truly meant for each other. Naturally, I ordered the Modern Library paperback of the poet's complete works. less

Download links for: La doppia vita di Rimbaud

Advertising