Ted Hughes is one of the greatest English poets of this century, yet his life was dogged by tragedy and controversy. His marriage to the American poet Sylvia Plath marked his whole life and he never entirely recovered from her suicide in 1963, though he chose to remain silent on the subject for more than 30 years. Many people, including his friend Al Alvarez, have held Hughes's adultery responsible for Plath's death. Elaine Feinstein first met Hughes in 1969, and she was a good friend of his and his sister Olwen's, both of whom guarded the Plath estate. She knows many of the European and America poets who so influenced Hughes - Seamus Heaney, Thom Gunn, Miroslav Holub, and knows the world in which both he and Plath moved.
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Elaine wrote a big piece for YOU MAGAZINE which ran on 27 Octoberand we've received lots of review coverage in the paperback review columns including thefollowing: 'her concise and illuminating biography.... the result is never less than enthralling'THE IRISH TIMES 'Feinstein's biograhpy shows the late Poet Laureate as a much more vulnerable and sympathetic figure than the myth all
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Elaine Feinstein's biography of Hughes manages to acheive what no other book I have read on Hughes or his first wife, Sylvia Plath, has managed, and that is to remain objective. She does not get caught up in the well known quarrels and squabbles regarding the marriage of the pair, nor Hughes' later life, but presents an objective view of his life. Equal weight is given to childhood, adolescence, university, life with Plath, Wevill and Orchard and there is focus on his poetry which relates to his life experiences but is not presented in an overly biographical manner, rather more gives insight into some of the experiences which may have informed and inspired his work.
The book is easy to read and presents Hughes as a fascinating individual, a talented poet and a real person.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Authoritative and well written, though some detail is lost for the sake of concision.
8 Aug 2006
By Kris Devin
Format:Paperback
As the title suggests, this is not a life-and-works biography but an account focusing on Ted Hughes's life. Nevertheless, elements of literary criticism are at times woven neatly into the narrative where Hughes's poetry is illuminated by the events of his life. The author's personal acquaintance with Hughes is made clear from the outset, and this provides an unusual shape to the book which begins as biographical work of pure research but evolves to include greater degrees of personal memoir.
The account of Hughes's relationship with Sylvia Plath is written with good measure and is generally objective (as is perhaps the most successful approach for discussing such a controversial and volatile relationship). Overall, however, Feinstein is largely sympathetic towards Hughes on the issue of Plath's depression and eventual suicide, although Plath herself is painted as a difficult character, to the point of being unreasonable.
As Hughes was such a prolific poet with an eventful life, this is a surprisingly short biography (the main text comprises 244 pages) and so Hughes's personal character remains rather enigmatic although the events and relationships that inspired and compelled him in his work are well documented. The richness of details and quality of writing make this an engaging and thought-provoking biographical account that will sit well on the shelf alongside Hughes's Collected Poems.
The account of Hughes's relationship with Sylvia Plath is written with good measure and is generally objective (as is perhaps the most successful approach for discussing such a controversial and volatile relationship). Overall, however, Feinstein is largely sympathetic towards Hughes on the issue of Plath's depression and eventual suicide, although Plath herself is painted as a difficult character, to the point of being unreasonable.
As Hughes was such a prolific poet with an eventful life, this is a surprisingly short biography (the main text comprises 244 pages) and so Hughes's personal character remains rather enigmatic although the events and relationships that inspired and compelled him in his work are well documented. The richness of details and quality of writing make this an engaging and thought-provoking biographical account that will sit well on the shelf alongside Hughes's Collected Poems.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is the first biography I have read about Ted Hughes and his relationship with Sylvia Plath and although it is well written it was difficult to get a 'real'feel for what made him tick or understand the depth of his feelings for any of the women that entered his life. It did however make me curious to find out more about both him and Sylvia Plath as individuals.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Elaine Feinstein's biography of Ted Hughes is more than just a biography, it is an attempt to set the record straight about one of the most talented and compelling poets of the twentieth century which is no easy task when one considers the public pillorying Hughes received from the Cult of Plath that built up in the 1970s. Nevertheless, Feinstein does, to a great extent, reveal the charm, confidence and element of reserve that went into Hughes' character, along with his early decision to dedicate his life to poetry.
It could possibly be argued that Feinstein allows too much sentiment, from her longstanding friendship with Hughes, to affect what she is willing to write about him, something which comes across especially clearly when she is describing his multiple long-running affairs in the 1970s without mentioning the feelings of his second wife or how his behaviour affected her. Still, unlike in some reviews I have read, I didn't think that Sylvia Plath was unfairly pilloried, but that Feinstein had gone to great trouble to present a clear picture of the complicated relationship between two complex, incredibly talented people, while also showing that Hughes came out of his relationship with Plath almost as damaged as she had been.
Furthermore, Feinstein also points up the great integrity that compelled Hughes to publish Plath's Ariel poems after her death purely because he saw in them the strength of Plath's genius, despite the fact that they presented him in a harsh, unforgiving, and entirely unfair light, and Plath's use of some of their most difficult private moments as material for her work left Hughes feeling profoundly betrayed.... Read more ›
It could possibly be argued that Feinstein allows too much sentiment, from her longstanding friendship with Hughes, to affect what she is willing to write about him, something which comes across especially clearly when she is describing his multiple long-running affairs in the 1970s without mentioning the feelings of his second wife or how his behaviour affected her. Still, unlike in some reviews I have read, I didn't think that Sylvia Plath was unfairly pilloried, but that Feinstein had gone to great trouble to present a clear picture of the complicated relationship between two complex, incredibly talented people, while also showing that Hughes came out of his relationship with Plath almost as damaged as she had been.
Furthermore, Feinstein also points up the great integrity that compelled Hughes to publish Plath's Ariel poems after her death purely because he saw in them the strength of Plath's genius, despite the fact that they presented him in a harsh, unforgiving, and entirely unfair light, and Plath's use of some of their most difficult private moments as material for her work left Hughes feeling profoundly betrayed.... Read more ›
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This biography would be more accurately titled 'The story of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath', since that is what the bulk of the book is most interested in. Even following Plath's death, Feinstein concentrates mostly on Hughes' subsequent love affairs and Plath's affect on them.
Of course, this story should be an important one in any biography of this great poet, and there is certainly room for fair documentation of Hughes' dignity in this matter - especially considering his reputation as a 'murderer' in some circles (particularly '70s feminist America). But there is little here for the reader who is actually interested in Hughes and his poetry, and not just his relationship with Sylvia Plath.
It would have been good to read a more in-depth analysis of his life in terms of his poems and his influences (which, of course includes Plath before and after her death). The only book of Hughes' really covered in this way is the beautiful Birthday Letters, which of course is addressed to Plath. This, for me, was the most revealing part of the biography and sent me back to re-read those poems with fresh insight - what a shame that didn't happen elsewhere. Once we get to the '70s, Feinstein seems to race to the end of the book in a flurry of extra-marital affairs, with little more than a cursory look at the work Hughes produced in this time.
The problem seems to be that this is basically an attempt to set the record straight regarding Hughes' involvement with Plath. While there is nothing wrong with that (except, maybe, that nobody could do it better than Hughes himself in 'Birthday Letters'), it seems innacurate to subtitle such a book 'The Life of a Poet'.
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
Controversial but very informative. Tells you a lot about his early years and attempts to unravel some of the years with Plath.
Published 1 month ago by Eliza
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kevin Bell
I have been writing poems since my teens. I am now in my mid-50s. This year I am self-publishing a book of my poems on a print-to-order basis. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Kevin Bell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Feinstein's Hughes
Feinstein researched her subjects well, bringing in her own analysis of his poems, interviews with friends, fellow students, other poets and family friends. Read more
Published 22 months ago by RR Waller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like most people
I picked up this book after reading the death and life of Sylvia Plath. The Plath book was a one sided story which painted Ted Hughes in an abhorrant light. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2011 by C. S. Bancroft
5.0 out of 5 stars
The life of Ted Hughes
Weeks after finishing Elaine Feinstein's book on Ted Hughes, the tragic events of his life are still on my mind. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2003 by Anneli Eriksson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but superficial
Feinstein's biography of Hughes is very interesting. As befits a biography by someone who knew him, it is sympathetic but even-handed in the treatment of his tempestuous, often... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2002 by S. de Waal
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful understanding of a wonderful poet
Feinstein really makes Ted Hughes come alive, as a wonderful poet who had extraordinary things happen to him. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent biography!
This is a beautifully written and extremely informative study of a great poet. I really enjoyed reading this stylish and illuminating biography. Highly recommended!
Published on 2 Nov 2001
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