John Keats. A New Life

Cover Type: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
Jacket Condition: Very Good
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publisher Place: New Haven
Publisher Year: 2012
Edition: First Edition

Description: 446 pages. Ex-Library. (only one small stamp on page edges). Book and Jacket are both in Very good condition throughout, the only exception is a water mark on bottom ede of last approx 1/3 of pages, the remainder of the book is fine.

Publishers Description: An entirely new portrait of Keats, rich with insights into the torments of his life and the imaginative sources of his works This landmark biography of celebrated Romantic poet John Keats explodes entrenched conceptions of him as a delicate, overly sensitive, tragic figure. Instead, Nicholas Roe reveals the real flesh-and-blood poet: a passionate man driven by ambition but prey to doubt, suspicion, and jealousy; sure of his vocation while bitterly resentful of the obstacles that blighted his career; devoured by sexual desire and frustration; and in thrall to alcohol and opium. Through unparalleled original research, Roe arrives at a fascinating reassessment of Keatss entire life, from his early years at Keatss Livery Stables through his harrowing battle with tuberculosis and death at age 25. Zeroing in on crucial turning points, Roe finds in the locations of Keatss poems new keys to the nature of his imaginative quest.Roe is the first biographer to provide a full and fresh account of Keatss childhood in the City of London and how it shaped the would-be poet. The mysterious early death of Keatss father, his mothers too-swift remarriage, living in the shadow of the notorious madhouse Bedlam—all these affected Keats far more than has been previously understood. The author also sheds light on Keatss doomed passion for Fanny Brawne, his circle of brilliant friends, hitherto unknown City relatives, and much more. Filled with revelations and daring to ask new questions, this book now stands as the definitive volume on one of the most beloved poets of the English language. Industry Reviews "A wonderful work that has many new things to say about Keats, his extraordinary work and inner life. A finer biography is unlikely to emerge this year."--Ian Thomson, "Financial Times"--Ian Thomson"Financial Times" (09/22/2012)"Far from being the handkerchief dabbling swain of popular Romantic stereotyping, Roe gives us a picture of Keats that matches the Cockney poet tag used by the then Tory press."--Michael Conaghan, "Belfast Telegraph"--Michael Conaghan"Belfast Telegraph" (07/13/2013)"Roes focus on Keatss early life challenges many of the things we think we know about the poet, bringing to the fore instead the sudden death of his father when he was very young, his mothers indecently hasty remarriage, and the familys social and financial decline. The impact of these events finds traces not only in the poetry, which Roe examines closely to show a truly radical poet in his challenging of traditional forms, but also in the later life, where is where we find a much more determined individual than we might have imagined."--Lesley McDowell, "Independent on Sunday"--Lesley McDowell"Independent on Sunday" (07/14/2013)

ISBN: 9780300124651