Emily Dickinson

Helen Vendler

Vendler turns her illuminating skills as a critic to 150 selected poems of Emily Dickinson. In accompanying commentaries, Vendler offers a deeper acquaintance with Dickinson, and her selection reveals Dickinson's development as a poet.

Dickinson

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson

lovelorn

Iris van der zanden

“This is my letter to the world . . .” — Emily Dickinson The Poetry of Emily Dickinson is a collection of pieces by 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson, who insisted that her life of isolation gave her an introspective and deep connection with the world. As a result, her work parallels her life—misunderstood in its time, but full of depth and imagination, and covering such universal themes as nature, art, friendship, love, society, mortality, and more. During Dickinson’s lifetime, only seven of her poems were published, but after her death, her prolific writings were discovered and shared. With this volume, readers can dive into the now widely respected poetry of Emily Dickinson.

The Poetry of Emily Dickinson

Lindsay

And space stares, all aroundOr grisly frosts, first autumn morns,

She dealt her pretty words like Blades—

Demur— you’re straightway dangerous—

And then— the size of this "small" life—

Swelled— like Horizons— in my vest—

The Eyes glaze once— and that is Death—

Success is counted sweetest By those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need.

This complete compendium of Emily Dickenson's poetry offers the reader a vivid portrait of one of Massachusetts' most famous and enigmatic poets. Although a greatly talented writer, Emily Dickenson lived most of her life in private seclusion, in contrast to the culture of the time which emphasized community and socializing. Throughout her life, Emily's family ensured her care and comfort; she lived a life characterized by quiet self-seclusion. Emily's early life ensured a great standard of education, with her aunts in particular noting her inclination toward musical and literary interests. Contemporary scholars generally agree that Emily Dickenson's isolation was chiefly the result of a persistent depression. The death of a school principal she admired, and of several friends, plummeted her toward isolation during the prime of her life. Despite her illness, she managed to travel with her family to see life beyond her hometown of Amhurst and publish a few of her poems.

The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson (Hardcover)

It is that thing that you would never recognize peace if you didn't meet the war. 

Zach Watterson

Did you ever think that time is just a concept in space and in reality we are just living a single thing since we were born? We do not have days, weeks, or years. This is an illusion and time is a heaviness of it is own. 

I do think there's a certain type of romanticism in thinking that all that you could give to someone is your heart and the place there you're right now.

This, and my heart, and all the fields — 

The collected poems of Emily Dickinson

Aparna

This was the first poetry book I picked and it's going to be with me because everytime I go to this book I am going to connect with Emily Dickinson on something new.

Kendall McClain

Briar's Reviews

This is an absolutely lovely set of poetry. I would definitely recommend picking up this book if you are interested in reading works by Emily Dickinson. It was an absolute pleasure to sit down and finally read some work by this literary great! 

Poetry bundles are honestly one of the greatest achievements in literature. They are the type of anthologies we truly need! I'm glad someone decided to put this book together. 

It was a personal goal to just read something by Emily Dickinson. Sometimes I just want to sit down and read a classic without any strings attached. I'd highly recommend her work if you're interested in poetry. 

Five out of five stars. What a lovely collection!

- "She Dealt Her Pretty Words Like Blades"

Favorites: 
- "I Like A Look Of Agony"
- "I Can Wade Grief"
- "A Solemn Thing - It Was - I Said"
- "I Felt A Funeral In My Brain"
- "Before I Got My Eye Put Out"
- "Much Madness Is Divinest Sense"
- "She Dealt Her Pretty Words Like Blades"
- "It Was Not Death For I Stood Up"
- "The Heart Asks Pleasure First"
- "Pain Has An Element Of Blank"
- "Her Losses Make Our Gains Ashamed"

Selected Poems

luca

A light exists in spring
 Not present on the year
At any other period.
 When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
 On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
 But human nature feels.

It waits upon the lawn;
 It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
 It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,
 Or noons report away,
Without the formula of sound,
 It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss
 Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
 Upon a sacrament.

Trish

This collection was a great introduction to Emily Dickinson's poetry - but I think it was just that, an introduction. While there are certainly some gems within this edition, I found myself uninterested in her poems about nature, which take up a significant part of this book. In time, I could definitely be persuaded to buy a complete collection of Dickinson's poetry to indulge in on a warm spring day.

Emily Dickinson, the "Belle of Amherst, " stayed close to home, finding inspiration in the small world around her. Often writing more than a poem a day-although few were published during her lifetime-she perfected a highly personal, condensed and still very modern style. Among the most famous, included here, are: "Success is Counted Sweetest, " "I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed, " and "This Is My Letter to the World."

Paula Reed

There is no frigate like a book 
To take us lands away, 
Nor any coursers like a page
 Of prancing poetry. 
This traverse may the poorest take
 Without oppress of toll; 
How frugal is the chariot 
That bears a human soul! 


So proud she was to die
 It made us all ashamed 
That what we cherished, so unknown 
To her desire seemed.   

So satisfied to go 
Where none of us should be,
Immediately, that anguish stooped 
Almost to jealousy.

During Emily's life only seven of her 1775 poems were published. This collection of her work shows her breadth of vision and a passionate intensity and awe for life, love, nature, time and eternity. Once branded an eccentric Dickinson is now regarded as a major American poet.

The Works of Emily Dickinson

alexandra 

Haley McDowell

Mari

3.5 stars  

I do think I liked the first half of this book a lot more than the second half. (Even though it's all poetry...so wtf am I saying?). The point is: I think I fell out of love reading this. I do enjoy poetry, I have read many different types of poetry, and Emily has always been in the top 5 of my list. 

However, I read MiraBai's poetry halfway through reading this and I ended up not enjoying the rest of this as much. Mostly because I am used to this type of poetry and reading a different author from a completely different part of the world with different belief really caught my attention. Meanwhile, though Emily's poems were as good as before, I kinda just think that when I revisit it, I will enjoy it more.

Grace Madden

4.5

Very beautiful and striking poetry. There were a lot of poems that left me with my mouth hanging open; they hit deep. The language and sing-song style was very nice. This is my first book of poetry that I have read cover to cover. It makes me want to read more poetry in general and more Emily Dickinson.

Amber Laha

Of course reading poetry isn't meant to be read like a novel so I didn't read all of them, just a bunch of my favorites and some that I wanted to back to. I was reminded why I love Dickinson's style this second time around.

Reading Edition

The Poems of Emily Dickinson

Jeni Enjaian

A review from my old blog...

I'm not much of a poetry fam. Sure, good poetry appeals to me and I appreciate good imagery.

Dickinson is very good poet. Unfortunately, 1800 poems all read in succession (not at one time of course) can be a bit overwhelming for the casual poetry reader.

If you like poetry then this is the book for you. If not then...

Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

everlinet

I love this queen of poetry, the strange introverted woman who wore exclusively white clothes and wrote poetry about death and immortality. Her gothic vibes, the beauty of her words... I truly fell in love with her couple of years ago and this was my third reread of her works. Some of the selected poems were different than the ones I’ve read in different editions and translations of her works, so I discovered some new favorite poems by her. 

I feel like we’d definitely go along if we could know each other. I love her poetry so much!

Selected Poems (Library of Classic Poets)

Les Reynolds

I keep trying with poetry, and keep struggling. I can handle bite sized chunks, but a whole book is a lot, took a couple months to finish. There are some beautiful poems within.

Stella

Emma Younger

Liam Holbrook

Emily Dickinson lived as a recluse in Amherst, Massachusetts, dedicating herself to writing a "letter to the world"--the 1,775 poems left unpublished at her death in 1886. Today, Dickinson stands in the front rank of American poets. This enthralling collection includes more than four hundred poems that were published between Dickinson's death and 1900. They express her concepts of life and death, of love and nature, and of what Henry James called "the landscape of the soul." And as Billy Collins suggests in his Introduction, "In the age of the workshop, the reading, the poetry conference and festival, Dickinson reminds us of the deeply private nature of literary art."

Dickinson

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