Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds Audiobook

" I finally 'get' ED after reading this fascinating bio. A quasi-feminist take on Emily's life positing the fascinating theory that she was hidden away due to epilepsy. Yet she had the strength of character to reject rising peer pressure to center one's life around christianity in mid-nineteenth century New England, as one of the first students at Mt. Holyoke. Her authoritarian brother's wild late-life affair with a twenty-something social climber is an astounding tale and was reflected in ED's last decade of poetry. This book weaves the poetry with excerpts of letters and a narrative that makes for a real page-turner, especially the first two-thirds of the book which focuses on Emily's life (versus the final third that centers on the family fight over her letters and copyright issues after her death). "

" A remarkable view of a remarkable poet, and the long-lived feuds to control her poetic legacy. I was simply blown away by the amount of source material available: journals, letters, even recordings from first and second generation participants in the battles. This was definitely a view of the poet that I have never seen before, and one that appeared to be well-researched (though the author did occasionally use very dramatic descriptions without making it clear whether she was drawing from actual descriptions in the sources or simply adding her own dramatic flair). Emily Dickinson's life was far more vibrant and passionate than popular culture has assumed; it was delightful to see this poet reclaimed as a woman who truly, in her own way, conducted a personal rebellion against the restrictions on women during that period. Definitely recommended. "

" Meh. Turns out that not only do I not like Emily Dickinson's poetry, I don't like her, her family and her friends. This would be fascinating reading for Dickinson fans, though. "

" The book is a little slow going at the beginning because the author uses Dickinson's Poetry to prove her points and we all know how obscure the poetry can be. But the author's argument that Dickinson suffered from epilepsy is well argued and the portraits of her family and their feuds is fascinating. A good read, well researched history and satisfying. "

" I fully agree with one of the other reviewers that this book is so disjointed that it takes real effort to plow through it. The author seems to have been infected with Emily Dickinson's syntax, and not in a good way. Why must she refer to Emily's neck (twice) as a "voice funnel"? One other difficulty, admittedly not of her making, is the Russian-novel-like name confusion over major characters Mabel (Mamma), Millicent, Martha (Mattie), and Maggie. Then there's Susan, Sue, and Sister. Also, after enduring much discussion of the editorial changes made in the various editions of Emily's poems, I hoped for at least a comment on what version was closest to authentic, but no. If it's there, it's buried in the footnotes, and I ran out of patience to dig it up. "

" I listened to the book. It seemed to start a little slow. Then gradually the myth of the shy lady in white was blown in all directions. The medical and the sexual secrets of the seemingly prude Dickenson family are fascintating. 19th Century New England takes on a much more Eugene O'Neil color than in most of the other things I have read (except the Lizzie Borden story). It really does shed some new light (at least for me) on Emily's poetry and character. "

" This was definitely a good read, and I liked it on many levels. I learned more about Emily Dickinson and her family than I had through 'White Heat' and this biography goes into detail about the feuds surrounding Dickinson's publications after her death. I thought Gordon did an amazing job sifting through the murky waters, and it made me realize that much of what I thought I knew about Dickinson was, in fact, part of the fallacious legends created by those feuding over the rights to Emily Dickinson and her poetry. Truly fascinating! "

" I love the idea of the story but it is long and drawn out and very boring "

" Really enjoying the major & minor players in this story whose surnames match the map around here: Leveretts and Montagues, etc. This book demands prolonged sit-downs for reading, which I don't seem to have right now. I don't think I can review it fairly. "

" Interesting book on Emily Dickinson and how events in her family after her death shaped the image, often inaccurate, that was presented to the world. "

" Starting an Emily Dickinson reading binge. Here's the first. "

" Not the clearest writing, but amazing insights into Emily, her poetry and her family. "

" I just finished reading this book and WOW...this would make a very good movie...the Dickinson family was anything but a stuffy group of New England people...I will be re-reading this one... "

" A book that transcends time and space. For Emily Dickinson fans, a must read. "

" Emily Dickinson's life and poetry are meshed together here in a fascinating way. Experts and amateurs would enjoy this analysis. One of the best on the subject I've ever read. "

" Worth the read! I vividly remember struggling with Dickinson in American Literature. I would like to re-read some of her works again. "

" Not a bad read, but abandoned it half way. "

" Very interesting approach to Emily Dickinson's life, focusing on the internal familial struggles of the Dickinson clan. Good, compelling reading -- not dry. At times the author assumes too much contemporary familiarity, but it doesn't overly taint the reading. "

" Fascinating history of the Dickinson family and the feuds following her death. If this were fiction it would be hard to believe. What a superb film this would make! "

" Wonderful, like all of Gordon's writing. Choosing an approach and a person is half the battle in excellent biography, and she really knows how to pick them--and then execute brilliantly. "

" But I don't want it to end yet....must renew from library stat! "

" I had to give up on this one; nearly 100 pages into it, and I just couldn't take any more. The tone really, really annoyed me. "

" A bit too academic in tone at times, but it's obvious that this writer did her homework. Amazing research & this gives me a whole new perspective on ED. She was not the agoraphobic shrinking violet she was made out to be for many years. "

" The more legendary a person becomes, the more untruths surround them. And so it is with Emily Dickinson. A fascinating biography, gripping as any novel, which focuses first on Dickinson's life and then on her much-disputed legacy. "

" Not a bad read, but abandoned it half way. "

" Who knew her brother was a fox? "

" A fascinating study of the epic battle to posthumously publish Emily Dickinson's writings. "

" Not the clearest writing, but amazing insights into Emily, her poetry and her family. "

" I have been having great luck with audio books recently. This book on Dickinson was comprehensive, superbly researched, and brought the never ending ramifications of the "war between the houses" up to date. "