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A review by hanrutous16
Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I picked this book up having read Rundell’s popular children’s fantasy story, ‘Impossible Creatures’ and was intrigued to read what she produced for adults. I was pleasantly surprised that her immense intelligence and passion for Donne was really well represented in her writing style which made this biography almost as enjoyable to read as her fantasy.
Rundell’s love for Donne as a man, a poet and a pastor brings him to life as she explores his life in the context of all his writing. She is not afraid to bring future poetry to the past to help show his feelings, nor does she shy away from what makes him human. She intertwines his writings with her own words, showing an affinity to a long dead man that was unexpected and bringing humour and emotion to a long dead history.
Donne himself was both a complex and simple man. His poetry and letter writing are full of flattery that he later condescends in a sermon. His desire to be part of courtly life seems to be his priority until suddenly it is not and he single mindedly pursued the church, refusing jobs that previously would have satisfied him. For a man who writes such sensual and visual love poems, he seems dedicated to his wife and her alone, but not afraid to flirt with and flatter other women. I learned much more about him than I expected and enjoyed the process very much.
An excellent biography and should Rundell deign to write another I would read it enthusiastically.
Rundell’s love for Donne as a man, a poet and a pastor brings him to life as she explores his life in the context of all his writing. She is not afraid to bring future poetry to the past to help show his feelings, nor does she shy away from what makes him human. She intertwines his writings with her own words, showing an affinity to a long dead man that was unexpected and bringing humour and emotion to a long dead history.
Donne himself was both a complex and simple man. His poetry and letter writing are full of flattery that he later condescends in a sermon. His desire to be part of courtly life seems to be his priority until suddenly it is not and he single mindedly pursued the church, refusing jobs that previously would have satisfied him. For a man who writes such sensual and visual love poems, he seems dedicated to his wife and her alone, but not afraid to flirt with and flatter other women. I learned much more about him than I expected and enjoyed the process very much.
An excellent biography and should Rundell deign to write another I would read it enthusiastically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent