Byron: Child of Passion, Fool of Fame

by Benita Eisler

Book Overview

In this masterful portrait of the poet who dazzled an era and prefigured the modern age of celebrity, noted biographer Benita Eisler offers a fuller and more complex vision than we have yet been... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679412999
• ISBN13: 9780679412991
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 864 Pages
• Weight: 5.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.0" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Masterly written bio of the genius poet

Byron's life has always attracted much interest in his work, and this massive, well-documented, and beautifully written masterpiece begs the reader to read more of his work - considerably more. The heroes of his poetry, such as Childe Harold and Conrad the Corsair, are exiles and wanderers, surrounded by a nimbus of exotic passion, pursued by the furies of some unspeakable past crime. In the drawing-rooms of Regency ladies there was no sexier subject for conversation than the possible origins of these characters in Byron's own life. The salacious details surrounding his divorce from the unfortunate Annabella Milbanke and his incestuous relationship with his sister, Augusta Leigh, were the worst-kept secrets of his life. An early introduction to sex by a mentally unstable housekeeper, a club foot disability, and an appetite for men and children spawned a man unable to cope with his demons without the genius of his art. A man of many contrasts, Byron lived a life of debt, sexual misadventure, with early success and a premature death. The poet is mesmerizingly illustrated by his biographer with a command of the language, a sharp eye for detail, and most important, as a soul mate demonstrating a sort of oneness with his poetry. I cannot recommend Eisler's work more. I've burned through two copies already, and have enjoyed reading it over and over for both my own research and escapist enjoyment. 5 Stars Plus!

Novelistic and Deeply Entertaining

The man who gave our language the essential term "Byronic" was as keen a student of publicity as the most contemporary of authors. In fact, he still holds the record for selling more copies of a book in one day than any other poet: 10,000. Lord Byron could work the press and influential audiences because he was always conscious of the interconnections between his image and his writing. Dualities came naturally though painfully to him, as we learn in Benita Eisler's lusciously detailed, triumphantly evocative new biography which reveals him in all his deeply flawed glory. A beautiful, charismatic man, Byron felt his clubfoot was a mark of Cain, but his lameness disappeared in the water where he was a swimmer famed for his prowess, and happy to brag about it. Sometimes quite shy in society (and a dud as a Member of Parliament), he could also be a coruscating speaker who not only won hearts and admiration, but ignited fierce passions and deep envy.When Byron gained someone's love, he often seemed eager to move on and could often seem heartless; cynicism came easily to one of England's greatest satiric poets. But perhaps the most significant duality in his life was sexual, which played out most intensely on his post-Cambridge Grand Tour in the Balkans where he reveled in partners of both sexes. There, he was also inspired to later aid Greece's independence from Turkey, and he died in the effort. It would have been easy to write about Byron's personality and lose the focus on his work: he was after all amazingly bawdy, moody, paranoid, witty, free-thinking, mawkish, puritanical, loving, cruel. His life was wracked with dramatic scandal, most notably the dangerous liaison with his married half-sister Augusta, which continued after his marriage, likewise a disaster. Fleeing England and disgrace, he always looked back to it for verification of his success, but became a greater and more dedicated poet in exile. Even if you're not familiar with the range of Byron's poetry beyond "She Walks in Beauty," this meticulous, entertaining and vivid biography will inspire you to read many of the quotations aloud and seek out the full texts. So Byron's poems--especially his comic masterpiece "Don Juan"--live here as richly as do the varied voices of his amazingly vivid and justly famous letters.Lev Raphael, author of LITTLE MISS EVIL, the 4th Nick Hoffman mystery.

The Definitive Bio of Ld. Byron

The biography of Byron by B. Eisler is thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and will become, I do believe, the definitive biography for years to come. The reader can follow almost a day to day life of this most modern of poets, womanizer, blackguard and traveler; but one is always held in thralled at the scope of his poetry, and the tragedy of his short life. Bravo Ms. Eisler.

Biography beautifully & absorbingly written

Even if you aren't extremely familiar with Byron's works, this book will grab and keep your interest as an absorbing book of history, society and morals. The text flows easily, and the narrative line is never compromised. Eisler has written a book that will last through the ages. I really loved it, and am happy to reccomend it.

A biography as good as a good novel

This new Byron biography does her subject justice in a lively, insightful, well-written biography of the romantic poet. A complex character who had a public as well as private life and lived both to the hilt, Byron is a rare being whose life cries to be told. The author enlivens her text with many quotes from his poetry (often autobiographical), giving a reader a goodly sampling of a poet whose work tends to be underappreciated today, especially his great poem, Don Juan. If you are looking for a really good read, that is also thought provoking and intelligent, this is the biography to get.