The Power of Adrienne Rich Audiobook By Hilary Holladay cover art

The Power of Adrienne Rich

A Biography

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The Power of Adrienne Rich

By: Hilary Holladay
Narrated by: Maggi-Meg Reed
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The first comprehensive biography of Adrienne Rich, feminist and queer icon and internationally revered National Book Award-winning poet.

Adrienne Rich was the female face of American poetry for decades. Her forceful, uncompromising writing has more than stood the test of time, and the life of the woman behind the words is equally impressive. Motivated by personal revelations, Rich transformed herself from a traditional, Radcliffe-educated lyric poet and married mother of three sons into a path-breaking lesbian-feminist author of prose as well as poetry. In doing so, she emerged as both architect and exemplar of the modern feminist movement, breaking ranks to denounce the male-dominated literary establishment and paving the way for the many queer women of letters to take their places in the cultural mainstream. Drawing on a wealth of unpublished materials, including Rich's correspondence and in-depth interviews with numerous people who knew her, Hilary Holladay digs deep into never-before-accessed sources to portray Rich in full dimension and vivid, human detail.

©2020 Hilary Holladay (P)2020 Random House Audio Art & Literature Authors Literary History & Criticism Women Biography

Critic reviews

"Taut, engaging .... The Power of Adrienne Rich announces its thesis in its title, but Holladay is a fair-minded and meticulous critic of the poet’s life and art. This elegant, assured biography underscores Rich’s essential place in our literary pantheon." (The Minneapolis Star Tribune)

“In The Power of Adrienne Rich, Holladay sees in this life of revision an ongoing crisis. She describes what she sees as the 'wound' of Rich’s life ... Rich, of course, was more willing than most to look directly at her wounds. That Holladay uses this same word, 'wound' at the outset of her project - that she uses Rich’s own words to define the terms of the biography - is the book’s great strength.” (The New Republic)

"Exceptionally well-researched and detailed, this is a definitive portrait of Rich that will be welcomed by aspiring writers and poets, Rich scholars, and devotees of 20th-century American poetry." (Library Journal)

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The author provides excellent context for all parts of Rich’s life. I didn’t realize how much shared subject matter many of her contemporaries she’d with her. For example Audre Lorne’s writing and lecturing on gay men’s tendency toward sexual violence as being an expression of the patriarchy. Also, the many poets that wrote about Chile’s authoritative regime. I would have liked to know if Rich’s writing was original or an extension of conversations, especially with Lorde. Otherwise, it is a precise elimination of a great poet’s life the I enjoyed very much.

Comprehensive biography with objectivity and empathy.

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There was a point 2/3 into the book when I needed to take a break, as AR’s life was not light and breezy, and just listening to it described fills one with the intensity AR must have approached most, if not all, of her days.
A well written book, sometimes slightly repetitive and saccharin, Holladay imbues AR’s life with believable emotion and intelligence.
The narration is perfect.
One question: where the heck are the kids!? AR had three boys, but they are mentioned so rarely that it’s easy to come away forgetting she had any children at all. If this is done out of a concern for privacy, ok. However, AR’s role and responsibilities as mother could be immensely connected to her roles as poet, thinker, activist, lover & teacher. The exclusion is a notable omission, especially knowing AR aimed to illuminate the power of women in all its facets and complexities.
Enjoyed the book. Coherent & Worthwhile.

Coherent & Worthwhile

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Ms. Holladay tackled a difficult subject. She directed criticism when needed. She made few excuses for Adrienne Rich’s challenging personality. She expertly analyzed her work. She provided multiple points of view on Ms. Rich at every stage of her life. She didn’t make big leaps based on the content of the source material. Her tone drew me in, and it never strayed from the perfect mix of scholarly and readable. In truth, there’s nothing I would change

Superior scholarship that's easy to read

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I was alive during much of Adrienne Rich’s life, but was embarrassingly unaware of her. Hilary Holladay‘s engrossing biography chronicles the life of this brilliant woman responding to and influencing the culture and politics of her (and much of my) time. I can’t say I fully understand Rich’s poetry, but I am inspired to keep trying.

Absorbing and enriching

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