U.S. & Canadian Authors - Interviews, American & Canadian Letters, U.S. Authors - 20th Century - Literary Biography
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Synopsis
Product DescriptionIn this excellent production, Andrea Itkin performs excerpts from ten of Miss Sarton's books of memoirs and her journals. 4 cassettes.
From Library Journal
Presaging younger feminists, Sarton (who has spent the better part of her life in the attempt "to write about women honestly") uses the journal form as a "journey out of depression and rage." The ten volumes excerpted here cover 50 years, and her concerns are steadfast: nature; solitude in New England; aging; companionship; and the writing process. Poorly edited and more repetitive than the printed volumes, these tapes are likely to fall through the same cracks as Sarton's 50 books. She is no Anais Nin, and if autobiography and memoir depend upon the listener's familiarity with the writer's complete oeuvre, we are at a loss. At the start of the first cassette, the 82-year-old Sarton discusses her life and writing; after this fragile, honest voice it's jolting to hear Andrea Itkin's melodramatic and hence superficial "performance." For inspirational listening, perhaps; for the literarily inclined, this seems much ado about nothing. -Rochelle Ratner, formerly Poetry Editor, "Soho Weekly News," New York
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
"Old age is a foreign country, and one has to learn the language." This comment by writer May Sarton reflects the wide range of topics included in this thoughtful selection of Sarton's journals, memoirs and poetry. It provides those who would not otherwise read her works with an enticing perspective of a remarkable writer. Sarton provides a cogent introduction and recites "The Phoenix Again" while Andrea Itkin reads the majority of the work. Itkin has the ability to express rich emotions in vibrant tones, an important skill in such a contemplative and strikingly honest work. Finally, the brief piano interludes between segments allow the listener the necessary time to reflect upon Sarton's philosophies of life and writing. E.E.L. An AUDIOFILE Earphones Award winner (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Editorials
Library Journal
Presaging younger feminists, Sarton (who has spent the better part of her life in the attempt "to write about women honestly") uses the journal form as a "journey out of depression and rage." The ten volumes excerpted here cover 50 years, and her concerns are steadfast: nature; solitude in New England; aging; companionship; and the writing process. Poorly edited and more repetitive than the printed volumes, these tapes are likely to fall through the same cracks as Sarton's 50 books. She is no Anas Nin, and if autobiography and memoir depend upon the listener's familiarity with the writer's complete oeuvre, we are at a loss. At the start of the first cassette, the 82-year-old Sarton discusses her life and writing; after this fragile, honest voice it's jolting to hear Andrea Itkin's melodramatic and hence superficial "performance." For inspirational listening, perhaps; for the literarily inclined, this seems much ado about nothing. -Rochelle Ratner, formerly Poetry Editor, "Soho Weekly News," New YorkBook Details
Published
December 1, 1998
Publisher
Penton Overseas Inc
Format
Audiobook
ISBN
9781883332099