E.E. CUMMINGS A Life

Even those with no interest in modern poetry may want to listen to the story of Cummings's life; it has all the elements of drama, and then some. Those who are familiar with the poetry or the two prose books—especially those who, in the ‘60s, helped make Cummings one of our most popular poets—will find it irresistible. Stefan Rudnicki's measured narration resists sensationalism, and when the notoriously difficult poems are quoted, manages to convey something of their sense and formal structure. He reflects the intimate tone of this biography—Cheever's father, John, and Cummings were buddies—without losing the author's analytical distance. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]