NEW BIOGRAPHY!

[Cath]

My copy just arrived .

[Cath]

For those interested, there is a review of Nicholas Roe's new biography in the Financial Times today:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/94e39034-018d-11e2-83bb-00144feabdc0.html#axzz27948xKMC

The book also has - a sign of the times - a Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/JohnKeatsANewLife?ref=stream

There are a few great images on there, e.g. of the OLd Mill House at Bedhampton and the effigies of the Pale Warriors that Keats saw in 1818.

[Cath]

Another review of Roe's new biography:

http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=12955

[Cybele]

The Facebook page has some nice photos, too.

[Raphael]

Using Laudanum was common then for various illnesses, which he did. Hardly the same as a heavy opium addict. Even Fanny Brawne wasn't against Fanny Keats taking it.

[Cath]

Another review of the biography, this time from the Literary Review:

http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/perry_10_12.php

Check out the LR's front cover too!:

http://www.literaryreview.co.uk/covers/cover.pdf

[Cybele]

I'm still waiting for my copy. This is very hard for me since I do like instant gratification.
However, for those of us who just can't wait for the US release of the book, if you're on Facebook you can "Like" the book. Then, the publisher (I assume it's the publisher, anyway.) will drop little, precious crumbs in the form of reviews, excepts etc., not enough to satisfy, but enough to tantalize.

[Cath]

Poor you, Cybele! Just remember: part of the pleasure is the thrill of anticipation .

~
There was another (typically sensationalist) article in the Daily Mail today about Keats and the Roe biography - this time about foetal alcohol syndrome:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2213930/Keats-doomed-mother-s-drinking-New-biography-claims-great-Romantic-poet-s-early-death-TB-foetal-alcohol-syndrome.html

[Cath]

The Telegraph also ran an article yesterday by Roe on Keats's mercury use:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9591165/Mercury-sent-John-Keats-to-an-early-grave.html

[Ravenwing]

Adieu.

[catlover]

I'm excited about this book after reading the previews. I am hoping to find out more about the realistic Keats that everyone in this forum is aware of and it will finally put to rest the image of the delicate artist that was killed by his critics.I came on here excited to tell everyone but of course you all knew about it. If it's about Keats it's likely to be on here.

[Saturn]

That image of Keats was already killed a long time ago in critics and biographers minds', but for the general public, and even some people here, they want to believe Keats was some ethereal, faery-like figure who was too delicate and perfect for this world, which is nonsense, but a myth perpetuated by people who should have known better like Shelley, and later Wilde.

I've been banging on about this for years, so apologies if I seem rather forthright about it, but I like to think I have a realistic and down-to-earth view of Keats myself; much as I adore his poems and admire much about his personality, he was very far from perfect or flawless, like anyone else he was a flesh-and-blood man about town, a rough tough brawler at times, not a wilting flower, a simpering dandy.

[Cath]

Some more links for you...

A review from The Times (UK):
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=421417&c=1

Kirkus review:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nicholas-roe/john-keats/

Ham&High article (Hampstead and Highgate newspaper):
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/what-s-on/books/keats_as_a_drug_taker_and_fighter_1_1572795

And tonight at 10pm on BBC Radio 3 the new biography will be discussed:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nb0cr

[catlover]

I am in agreement with you Saturn.The critics and biographers who really researched him have managed to do a good job on uncovering the life of the real man behind the myth. But every now and then I come the old story about the delicate poet who was too sensitive etc. I am tired of it too. This book sounds like it will be worth looking into.

[Cath]

The interview with Nicholas Roe on BBC Radio 3 last night can now be listened to online at the above link. It starts at 35:20 minutes into the programme and runs until 44:20 minutes.