Scan barcode
A review by katiehuntington
Anne Sexton: A Biography by Diane Middlebrook
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
A powerful, thorough portrayal of a brilliant (and brilliantly troubled) poet. Middlebrook neither shirks from nor sensationalizes the realities of Sexton’s illness. Though the use of Sexton’s therapy tapes is problematic and unethical at best, Middlebrook employs this material carefully and considerately. Sexton’s work was so deeply intertwined with her psychotherapy that it would be difficult to truly understand her without exploring this enormous facet of her creative life. Despite her often inexcusable behavior towards those around her, I felt very tender towards Sexton by the time I finished this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment