John Donne: Man of Flesh and Spirit FROM THE PUBLISHER
Though best known as a poet of love, John Donne was also a peerless writer of the spiritual journey, a stalwart churchman, and a great preacher. Yet behind this famed public face there also lived a lesser known and contradictory figure. Donne fascinates because he was a man battered by sex -- and by God. A compelling new portrait of John Donne emerges in this extraordinary biography. David Edwards ranges across all of Donne's writings, including critically neglected sermons, using them to illuminate Donne's life and vice versa. Itself a masterpiece of writing, this book challenges common views with wit and a critical compassion that does not fail to let Donne speak to readers in his own words. Edwards is not sentimental about Donne's faults and limitations, and he does not try to sound superior to either the poet or the preacher. His aim is to give a living and accurate account of a man who both suffered and gloried in his experience of flesh and spirit.
SYNOPSIS
This is a paperbound reprint of a 2001 book. Now retired from an academic and church career, Edwards explores aspects of the metaphysical poet that he finds others to have neglected. He emphasizes Donne's (1572-1631) relationships with his wife and God, drawing heavily on the ten volumes of his sermons. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Booknews
Now retired from an academic and church career, Edwards explores aspects of the metaphysical poet that he finds others to have neglected. He emphasizes Dunne's (1572-1631) relationships with his wife and God, drawing heavily on the ten volumes of his sermons. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Home
