Adrienne Rich

Although best known as a poet, Adrienne Rich is a versatile critic and a gifted writer of nonfiction and critical theory. Writing in the oracular tradition of Whitman and Dickinson, she affirms the will to change as an enduring commitment in her life and poetry.One of America's most outspoken literary figures, her courage in speaking out against injustice in the United States and worldwide has earned her the kind of international political following few American poets enjoy. This book is a much-needed comprehensive study of her life and career. It covers the full progression of her poetry from the beginning through her most recent work. In doing so, it clarifies her entire poetic output and illuminates her concepts of nation, the female body, power, and women's sexuality.The volume covers the full progression of her poetry from the beginning through her most recent work. It clarifies her entire poetic output and illuminates her concepts of nation, the female body, power, and women's sexuality. In doing so, it draws on a vast body of literary, theoretical, and cultural scholarship. While the book offers a thorough study of Rich and her works, it also examines the critical reaction that her controversial writings have engendered.

"Cheri Colby Langdell has written an ambitious and thorough treatment of Adrienne Rich's poetry covering the half century from her first volume, A Change of World in 1951 to Fox, Poems 1999-2000....Adrienne Rich is one of the most important poets writing today, both for her style and her mission, and Langdell is a passionate and energetic proponent of her work."-NWSA Journal, ?Cheri Colby Langdell has written an ambitious and thorough treatment of Adrienne Rich's poetry covering the half century from her first volume, A Change of World in 1951 to Fox, Poems 1999-2000....Adrienne Rich is one of the most important poets writing today, both for her style and her mission, and Langdell is a passionate and energetic proponent of her work.?-NWSA Journal, ?Langdell traces Rich's several transformations, including one "transfiguration," from neoclassically influenced modernist, through radical feminist cultural critic, to neo-Marxist prophet of postmodern America. Throughout, Langdell's insightful analyses of individual poems succeed in making the case for a progressive development of Richean ideology....Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.?-Choice, "Langdell traces Rich's several transformations, including one "transfiguration," from neoclassically influenced modernist, through radical feminist cultural critic, to neo-Marxist prophet of postmodern America. Throughout, Langdell's insightful analyses of individual poems succeed in making the case for a progressive development of Richean ideology....Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty."-Choice

CHERI COLBY LANGDELL is Adjunct Professor of English at Azusa Pacific University.