Emily Dickinson’s life and her body of work have long fascinated me. Known for rarely leaving her house starting in her 30s, her poetry and letters reflect a life intensely lived and felt. She wrote constantly, but it was only after her death, when her sister discovered nearly 1,800 of her poems hidden away in her desk, that the majority of her poems were shared with the world.
In a letter to T.W. Higginson, Dickinson wrote of poetry, “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?”
Fall seems like a great time to revisit a favorite poet or poetry, or to try something new. If you are interested in learning more about Emily Dickinson, here are some places to start.
In her own words:
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
All 1,775 poems by Emily Dickinson in one collection.
The Gorgeous Nothings by Emily Dickinson
A beautiful collection of facsimiles of Dickinson’s envelope poems, allowing us a window into Dickinson’s writing process and a chance to read her words in her own handwriting.
The Letters of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
Dickinson’s letters provide a fascinating glimpse into her thoughts, feelings and daily life, shared with those she corresponded with the most.
Open Me Carefully by Emily Dickinson
A compilation of Dickinson’s uncensored letters with her sister-in-law, Sue, revealing Sue’s role in Dickinson’s inspiration as well as the passionate writings she shared with her.
Learning about Dickinson:
Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell
Dickinson’s love for plants influenced much of her poetry and writing. This book weaves together her poems, letters, and botanical art.
These Fevered Days by Martha Ackmann
Ackmann dives into ten pivotal moments that she believes informed who Dickinson was as a person and as a writer.
Wildflower Emily by Lydia Corry
In this graphic novel for young readers, Corry highlights Emily’s adventurous and joyful early teenage years, especially her love for flowers and botany.
This documentary, available for streaming on Hoopla, brings Dickinson to life, diving into her history, her family, her relationship with Sue, and more.
This comedic retelling of Dickinson’s life, available on DVD and Hoopla, portrays her romantic relationship with Sue as well as Dickinson’s joy and wit.
If you are interested in more poetry this fall, keep an eye on our Poetry page for staff poetry suggestions, local poetry events, and more!
~posted by Siri A.
Discover more from DrWeb's Domain
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
