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June 9th marks the anniversary of Charles Dickens’ death, and a moment to pause and appreciate our main man, and one of the most unforgettable storytellers the world’s ever known. Though he passed away in 1870, Dickens is anything but forgotten. His books are still read, his characters still quoted, and his messages still ring true.
Dickens had a knack for making readers care. He didn’t just write about the poor or the powerless – he gave them names, faces, and unforgettable voices. Whether it was the scrappy Oliver Twist or the ghost-haunted Scrooge, his stories dug into big issues with heart, humor, and just the right amount of drama.
Dickens’ influence stretches far beyond just literature. He helped shape the way we think about the holidays, social justice, and the power of redemption. And honestly… without him? Well… Christmas might be just a little less merry!
In the grand scheme of things, Dickens gave us much more than just stories – he gave us perspective. His influence spilt far beyond only literature. Dickens helped shape our ideas about Christmas cheer, yes, but also about child-welfare laws, and he even serialized storytelling as we know it. Put simply – every time we root for an underdog… we owe him thanks.
So today, we tip our hats to the novelist who set some truly Great Expectations for all the storytellers who have followed. Here’s to remembering him with gratitude today!
This week on June 3rd we celebrated Allen Ginsberg’s birthday – so it is a perfect time to reflect on the life (and legacy) of one of America’s most unforgettable poets. Ginsberg wasn’t just a writer – he was a cultural force. His work and his activism pushed the limits of what could be said, written, and accepted in mid-20th-century America. As a fierce advocate for free expression, an icon of the Beat Generation, and a controversial figure whose work challenged the very core of American values in his time… he is definitely worth remembering!
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Born in 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, Ginsberg grew up in a household shaped by both creativity and chaos. His mother, Naomi, struggled with mental illness, an experience that left a deep impression on him and became central to his later work (most notably in his powerful poem “Kaddish”). As a teen, Ginsberg wrote in to the New York Times about various political issues, and joined the Merchant Marines in order to afford his tuition to Columbia University. While studying literature at Columbia University, he met key figures like Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs, and together they became known as the Beat Generation (a social and literary movement that focused on rejecting traditional values and building individual expression). Over time, Ginsberg’s interests expanded to encompass Eastern philosophy – particularly Tibetan Buddhism – which informed both his writing and his activism.
Ginsberg’s poetry was intense, personal, and unapologetically honest. His breakout poem “Howl” published in 1956 shook the literary world with a raw look at sexuality, mental health, and the search for meaning in a consumer driven society. The poem actually sparked an obscenity trial that ended in a landmark ruling for artistic freedom – as the judge’s ruling in its favor established an important precedent for freedom of speech in the arts. From that moment on, Ginsberg became known not just for his words, but for what he was willing to stand up for. Ginsberg’s openness about his own homosexuality and his long-term relationship with Peter Orlovsky was groundbreaking bravery for the time.
Beyond his bold and deeply personal poetry, he lived a life of activism. Ginsberg protested the Vietnam War, pushed back against censorship in the arts and in politics, criticized imperial policies, and fought for individual rights. Just as passionate in person as he was on the page, in 1974 he co-founded the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics in Boulder, Colorado – an institution that welcomed outsider voices and experimental thinking. Even late in his life, he documented moments of unrest, such as the 1988 Tompkins Square Park riot.
Ginsberg’s travels took him around the world, including visits to communist countries like China, Cuba, and Czechoslovakia – where he was sympathetic to communist ideals. However, even in places that shared some of his political leanings, his outspoken views on sexuality and personal freedom got him expelled. He often aligned himself with causes that many considered radical. He supported marijuana legalization (yet spoke out against cigarette smoking) – and, most notably, controversially defended the North American Man/Boy Love Association – positions that sparked ongoing debate and criticism (and in regards to the latter… remain disturbing to many).
Despite the contradictions in his beliefs and actions, there’s no denying the impact Ginsberg had on American culture. He helped open up conversations that were previously off-limits in society and encouraged people to look at the world differently – even if they didn’t always agree with him. His work challenged, provoked, and inspired an entire generation to speak more freely and think more deeply, and his willingness to confront taboo topics and advocate for individual liberty helped expand the boundaries of artistic and political discourse in America. He didn’t just reflect the turbulence of his time – he helped define it!
“Grow old with me! The best is yet to come.” Somehow we wonder how Robert Browning might be perceived today with what some consider his dark humor and wicked social commentary. His knowledge of several Romance languages, plus a musical background seem to have been important influences on his life as a poet. As his May 7th birthday dawns, we take his interesting life (and the fact that, in much the spirit of today’s generations, he chose to stay at home until his mid-thirties marriage) and examine the lasting influence he has had on the literary world in honor of his 213th birthday!
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Robert Browning was born in Surrey, on the 7th of May in 1812. Browning grew up with a rather literary father, and a talented musician for a mother (and we wonder how he became the writer he was!). During his most formative years, Browning had a solid learning foundation, as his father was rather firm in his expectations for his gifted son. Browning’s father housed a library of over 6,000 titles – rather remarkable for that day and age. And what a collector after our own hearts! The young Robert Browning was expected to make use of his father’s collection at every opportunity (…what a hardship!) A brief foray into a more formal environment (the University of London) proved to not be to Robert’s liking, and he returned to his home after his , and his world of books and music, until his “later” marriage in 1846. He managed to publish several works during his time at home – his “Paracelsus”, published in 1835, drew the attention of literary greats Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth and Alfred Tennyson. “Paracelsus” became Browning’s introduction to London’s literary world. From there on, his works managed to bring both praise and criticism. Browning seemed to care little for either side of the coin, however, and he turned down almost all public speaking appearances, never wavering in his wish to remain true to himself, rather than be swept up into the grand life of the London literary scene.
In 1845, Robert met poet Elizabeth Barrett (whose name may ring a bell to some of you bibliophiles), and they began a correspondence that turned into love. They secretly married in September of 1846, and it was the beginning of an entirely new chapter in Robert Browning’s work and life. It was during his marriage to Elizabeth that he wrote the bulk of his literary output – a fountain of poetry and a few plays. Browning’s marriage to Elizabeth was tantamount to them both for not only their happiness, but also their exposure. Due to Elizabeth’s father’s disinheritance upon her marrying (not because he disapproved of Robert, but because he disapproved of his children marrying in general), the Browning’s spent much of their married life living in Italy. Nevertheless, their life in Italy managed to bring its own round of criticism to the couple as they were originally branded “deserters” of England in literary circles. That being said, in today’s society Browning would be heralded for his opposition to slavery of the time and his avid support of women (as is seen by his own excitement for his wife’s success in her work).
Upon Elizabeth’s death in 1861, Browning finally returned to England with their son Robert Barrett (nicknamed “Pen”). Browning continued to publish works and was considered one of the most in-demand London literary figures. Browning’s poetry ranges from dramatic monologue (with works like “My Last Duchess” and “Far Lippo Lipa” coming to mind), to serious themes (like “Porphyria’s Lover” – a work centering on an obsession that borders between passion and madness) to a much lighter lyrical voice – “The Pied Piper of Hamlin” remains, to this day, a cherished and popular addition to children’s literature.
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Although Browning is often identified side-by-side with his wife, he is worth examining on his own! A writer who never wavered in his beliefs, and who showed more than adequate representation of his views in his writings – declaring them both lyrically and socially – deserves to have a second look. We remember him as his birthday passes for reasons we perhaps were not originally exposed to, especially in our school classes of yesteryear. We cheers to Browning’s strength of characterization and his ahead-of-his-time beliefs – so many of which we today take for granted! Happy Birthday to Robert Browning!
Evelyn Waugh, one of the sharpest pens of the 20th century, was a writer whose life looked every bit as colorful as the characters he created. Known for his sharp and biting satire, elegant prose, and complex relationship with faith and society… Waugh left behind a legacy that still captivates readers today. While his name might suggest a genteel English lady sipping tea, Evelyn was anything but – his writing style often cut deep through the hypocrisy of the upper-class. On the anniversary of his death on April 10th 1966, we remember the man behind the books, and the wit behind his words!
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Born in 1903 to a family deeply invested in literary tradition, Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh (what a mouthful) grew up surrounded by books – and an expectation to do something clever with them. His father, a publisher, supported Evelyn’s literary interests, though perhaps he didn’t foresee just how sharp Evelyn’s words would become. Waugh attended Oxford, where he mingled with the Bright Young Things (the 1920s version of Instagram influencers, minus the selfies), and began honing his rather sardonic view of the world. Although he initially dabbled in art and teaching, it was the failure of those pursuits (plus the chaos of a brief and disastrous first marriage to one Evelyn Gardner) that pushed him headfirst into writing. Turns out, misery makes good material. Waugh’s early works, like Decline and Fall and Vile Bodies, are comedic masterpieces that use what looks like effortless flair to run through the absurdity of British society with a literary knife.
As Waugh matured with age, so too did his writing. He converted to Catholicism in 1930 after the dissolution of his marriage, stating that the world was “unintelligible and unendurable without God” – a shift that deeply influenced his later work and worldview. His wartime experiences as an officer in World War II, meanwhile, showed itself as a darker and more introspective tone in his post-war novels. Despite his increasing curmudgeon tendencies in his later years (he once described a holiday as “a time when one’s wife and children get extra chances to annoy one another”), he remained a literary heavyweight. He rose to fame early and quickly, but it never seemed to soften his critical edge – if anything, it perhaps sharpened it.
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Waugh’s most celebrated novels are Brideshead Revisited, a nostalgic and spiritual exploration of a fading English aristocracy, and Scoop, a rather hilarious satire on journalism that somehow feels more relevant with each passing year. Beyond simple satire and entertainment, Waugh’s writing often challenged readers to look beneath the surface – to see the rot beneath the glamour and the sadness behind the mask. His influence can still be felt in modern satire and literary fiction, reminding us that sometimes the best way to say something very serious is to make people laugh first. You can see this style in modern writing and even screenwriting for television and movies. In a world increasingly obsessed with appearances and irony, Waugh’s work feels oddly current – proving that even the most buttoned-up, serious man can still throw a punchline that lands nearly a century later.
An author whose name immediately brings up visuals of the “open road” in American culture was born on this day in 1922… 103 years ago! The Beat Generation authors (of which Jack Kerouac was a heavy influence) helped shape the world we know today, with their lack of interest in convention and the societal rules and conventions followed by their parents. On his birthday, we wanted to bring some attention to Kerouac and the way he helped shape the world.
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Born on March 12th, 1922 in Lowell, Massachusetts, Jack Kerouac grew up in a working-class French-Canadian family, speaking French before he ever learned English. His early years saw both tragedy and discipline, as his older brother Gerard died when Jack was just four – an event that deeply affected him and would later influence his writing. His mother was a devout Catholic, and Kerouac maintained a spiritual (though not strictly Catholic) streak throughout his life, even as he rebelled against societal norms in his later years. A voracious reader, he read everything from adventure novels to the works of Thomas Wolfe, and developed a passion for storytelling at an early age. Since it wasn’t enough to be academically minded, Kerouac was also a gifted athlete – earning himself a football scholarship to Columbia University in 1940. Unfortunately, a leg injury and a deepening dissatisfaction with what seemed to him to be a structured life (a typical – sport, education, job, family, work till you die… you know, the usual kind of life) soon steered him away from sports and into the more alternative world of writing. His time in New York City proved immensely important, however – not for his studies, but for the people he met while he was there. He fell in with a group of similar-minded artists, authors and bohemians, most notably Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, and Neal Cassady. This core group, along with Kerouac himself, would later become known as the Beat Generation, a movement that challenged post-war materialism and celebrated personal freedom, spiritual exploration, and, of course… jazz fueled cross-country road trips.
Kerouac’s arguably most defining work, On the Road (1957), was written in a flurry of inspiration on a single scroll of paper – supposedly fueled by caffeine, cigarettes and pure momentum. The novel, a supposedly semi-autobiographical account of adventures he had with his friend Neal Cassady, captured the rather restless energy of a generation searching for meaning outside the constraints of mainstream America (and that structured life Kerouac had decided against back at Columbia). Though it initially received mixed reviews, the book soon became a cultural phenomenon – sealing Kerouac’s fate as the voice of the disaffected youths of America. However, fame wasn’t something Kerouac embraced easily. As the Beat movement gained followers, he struggled with the attention – eventually retreating (quite young) into alcohol and isolation. Despite publishing several more works, including The Dharma Bums and Big Sur, he never really adapted to the literary celebrity that followed him. By the time of his early death in 1969, at just 47, his influence had already spread far beyond what he might have imagined, or even wanted.
Kerouac’s impact on literature is hard to overstate – the Beat generation’s themes and spirits of spontaneity, self-exploration, and rebellion truly seemed to pave the way for countercultural movements in the 1960s, and therefore have helped shape our current world. From Hunter S. Thompson to Bob Dylan, writers have recognized Kerouac as an inspiration to them, and his rhythmic (almost jazz-like) prose has influenced countless storytellers of both the written and spoken word.
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The Beat Generation were more than just poets with a longing for typewriters and open roads, though… they were literary revolutionaries (and that is not a phrase we use lightly). They broke away from rigid literary structures to embrace a more raw, unfiltered kind of storytelling that captured the fairly chaotic energy of post-war America. Their general themes of nonconformity, mysticism and wanderlust continue to resonate in modern literature, music, and film… and while their era may be long past, their ideas about freedom, authenticity, and rejecting the status quo remain rather unmistakably relevant. After all, if Kerouac taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the best way to find yourself is to simply start moving – and maybe bring a notebook along for the ride! 🙂
George Meredith isn’t the first name that comes to mind when people think of Victorian literature, but perhaps it should be in the top ten! A novelist and poet with a sharp wit and a love for psychological depth in his writing, he influenced some of the biggest literary figures of his time. Though he never reached Dickens-level fame, his works remain a fascinating blend of humor, social critique, and deep character studies.
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Born on February 12th, 1828 in Portsmouth, England, Meredith’s early life seemed shaped by both hardship and intellectual curiosity. His father ran a struggling naval outfitting business, and then after his mother passed away when he was just five years old, young George was sent to school in Germany. There, he developed an early appreciation for literature and philosophy (though whether or not he appreciated the strict discipline is another story). Upon his return to England, he initially pursued a career in law but quickly realized that long hours in a legal office were not his calling. Instead, he turned to writing, first gaining attention for his poetry and later his novels. His personal life, however, was anything but simple. His first marriage to writer Mary Ellen Peacock ended in separation after she left him for another man. While painful, that experience inspired Modern Love (1862), a brutally honest and emotionally intense poetry collection that remains one of his most powerful works.
As a novelist, Meredith was ahead of his time. His books were dense, filled with intricate sentences, psychological depth, and sharp social critique. One of his most famous works, The Egoist (1879), is a satirical masterpiece that skewers male vanity through the character of Sir Willoughby Patterne, a self-absorbed aristocrat who assumes women exist solely to admire him. (If a Victorian novel could double as an 1800s-style dating horror story, this would be it.) While Meredith’s unique style made his novels more challenging to read than those of his contemporaries, his wit and insight rewards those who persevere. Of course, some readers may have felt they deserved a medal after making it through one of his more complex paragraphs, but literary greatness isn’t always easy!
Our 1879 1st trade edition set of The Egoist, if you fancy a read!
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His influence stretched beyond his own readership, too. Writers like Thomas Hardy, Virginia Woolf, and even Oscar Wilde all admired his work, with Hardy once crediting Meredith’s support as a turning point in his own career. Despite not achieving widespread popular success, Meredith’s ability to blend comedy with deep psychological realism made him rather an important bridge between Victorian literature and the modernist literary movement. Though his works require patience, they offer a rare mix of humor, wisdom, and social insight that still feels relevant today.
Molière, born Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in 1622, is one of the most celebrated playwrights in the history of French literature. Raised in a well-off family in Paris, he seemed destined for a respectable career in law. However, Molière’s passion for acting led him to abandon convention and pursue a life on stage… and writing for the stage! In fact, he wrote 31 of the 95 plays he performed throughout his adult life. In honor of his birthday (generally regarded as before January 15th, 1622), we thought it was high time we honored this playwright and his contributions to the art of theater.
Though he was raised in an affluent lifestyle, and even spent time in a bought position at the court of Louis XIII, Molière faced numerous personal and professional challenges, and many academics agree that his struggles aided his later writing. In 1643 at the age of 21, he co-founded the Illustre Théâtre with an actress and friend, and this theater troupe that faced financial struggles in its early years. He not only experienced financial difficulties, but also rivalries with other theater companies, and health issues that plagued him well into his later years. In 1645 his theater troupe went bankrupt, and due to large debts he even had a short stint in debtor’s prison. It was thought at this time that Jean-Baptiste began using the name Molière, perhaps to spare his father the shame of having an actor (and a not quite savvy businessman) in the family. Despite the challenges he faced, Molière’s dedication to his craft propelled him to fame, eventually being the head of a theater troupe favored by the French monarchy (their patron being Philippe I, the Duke of Orléans). His resilience and determination allowed him to produce some of the most iconic works in theatrical history, and his ability to persevere through adversity is a testament to his commitment to his art!
Molière’s plays often satirized the societal norms of his time, and he was known for his sharp wit and keen observation of human nature. His masterpieces, such as Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, and The Imaginary Invalid, blend humor with biting social commentary. His works primarily targeted hypocrisy, pretentiousness, and the absurdities of human behavior. Though his boldness and sense of humor earned him admirers and friends, it also attracted criticism (and even censorship) from powerful figures, including the Catholic Church. As a matter of fact, his play Tartuffe, ou L’Imposteur (The Imposter, or even The Hypocrite) was performed at Versailles in 1664 and caused the most notorious scandal of Molière’s career. The wrath of the Jansenists (a sect of Roman Catholics) and other theological societies caused the play to be banned – all because Molière dared to comment on the hypocrisy of the dominant classes. Despite this, as we said – Molière became a favorite of the monarchy, Philippe I and even King Louis XIV, a move which truly cemented his place in history.
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Molière’s influence on literature and theater is truly profound. His ability to combine entertainment alongside critical reflection has always and continues to inspire countless playwrights and authors around the world. His work is consistently thought to have laid the foundation for modern comedic theater, showcasing the power of humor as a tool for social critique. And in every performance of his plays, his brilliance is obvious, reminding us of the great importance of an art that challenges, entertains, and enlightens – all at the same time!
Happy Holidays, Bibliophiles! With the holiday season having dawned bright and early the day after Thanksgiving (though we held off on decorating until December 1st, we are excited to report), we are trying to get into the spirit of the season! There’s nothing quite like curling up by a fire with a good book in the Winter, so we thought we’d pay homage to some of the most beloved, most culturally significant, and popular holiday stories of all time. In no particular order (though we of course saved the best [in our humble opinion] for last), enjoy some of our holiday favorites!
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1. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss (Or Theodor Geisel) was published in 1957 and was an immediate success. The grouchy protagonist is not without fault and through the course of the book learned the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas. With unforgettable characters and an ability to inspire both children and adults alike, this book is a definite fan favorite of the Christmas season.
2. “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was published in 1816 as a German novella, about a young woman adventures after her favorite toy comes alive on Christmas Eve. Known primarily for the ballet based on this story (the ballet by Tchaikovsky having come about in 1892), this story through its adaptation has made it all around the world. We would bet that “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” is one of the most culturally significant stories of the season because of this very reason!
3. “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” by Eric Kimmel is a relatively new holiday story, having been published in only 1989. However, it won the National Jewish Book Awards for both its writing and its illustrations, and has become a staple in the Jewish community. This modern folktale uses both humor and heroism as Hershel outwits goblins to save Hanukkah celebrations and win his synagogue back, night after night. The rich storytelling and beautiful drawings has earned it a place on our list for the holiday season.
4. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clark Moore is a poem written in 1823, and is also known as “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. This poem is widely read and even memorized throughout the English speaking world, and has inspired countless illustrated versions throughout history. While the story initially was published on December 23rd anonymously, It was almost fifteen years later that Moore would claim authorship of a poem that has helped solidify much of the modern imagery of Santa Claus (i.e. his sleigh, reindeer, and jolly demeanor). As a mascot of one of the largest holidays of the year, a cozy poem about Santa no doubt hit sky high popularity immediately after it was published, and has remained just as popular ever since!
And last but CERTAINLY not least…
5. “A Christmas Carol” by our main man Charles Dickens, was published on the 19th of December, 1843. By Christmas Eve, the edition had completely sold out! The timeless tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who is transformed by the visits of three ghosts has become synonymous with the spirit of Christmas. A Christmas Carol uses themes of redemption, generosity and holiday cheer to encourage an enduring message about compassion and human connection. And while this story is perhaps the quintessential Christmas book with how it is credited with shaping modern Christmas traditions (like the focus of the season on charity, family and goodwill towards your fellow humans), we would argue that the messages it portrays about redemption, forgiveness and transformation are relevant all year round!
Our 1869 edition of Dickens’ famous holiday work has beautiful gilt to the cover. Very festive indeed!
Perhaps we can all adopt the Icelandic practice of “Jolabokaflod”, which translates literally to “Christmas Book Flood” and involves the exchanging of books on Christmas Eve and the celebration of a quiet night of reading them together! Sounds like a perfect holiday tradition to us, don’t you agree?
With author Albert Camus’ birthday being November 7, it seemed like a perfect time to reflect on the life (and impact) of this influential writer and philosopher. Camus’ most well-known philosophical contribution was his concept of “the absurd” – a term he used to describe the tension between humans desire for both meaning and the meaningless, indifferent universe they inhabit. He argued that while life has no inherent meaning, people must still find ways to live fully… a feeling that perhaps a few American citizens are feeling this week and need reminding of.
Born in 1913 in Mondovi, Algeria, Camus grew up in a rather modest household. His father died in World War I, leaving his mother alone to raise Albert under tough conditions. Despite these challenges, Camus excelled in school, eventually studying philosophy at the University of Algiers. Camus lived through some of the most intense periods of the 20th century. His early life, his experiences during World War II, and particularly his involvement with the French Resistance and his role as editor of the underground newspaper Combat, shaped his views on justice and human dignity and is almost tangible in some of his work.
In 1942, Camus published The Stranger, a novel that explores the idea mentioned above of “the absurd”—the confliction between our desire for meaning in life and the uncaring world around us. He delved deep into this theme in The Myth of Sisyphus, an essay that challenges us to confront life’s uncertainties with resilience and courage. Camus didn’t stop there… his novels The Plague and The Fall continued to explore human nature and morality, earning him widespread recognition. In 1957, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious award at the age of 44. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident just two short years later.
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Personally, I believe that what makes Camus’ work so powerful is its timeless relevance. His intense focus on existential themes and the human condition resonates even today… some might say particularly today. His work shows a commitment to principles like freedom, justice, and integrity that continues to inspire readers across generations. Camus encourages us to find meaning in life through our actions, our choices, and our connections with others… even when the world seems indifferent. As we mark what would be his 111th birthday, we honor Albert Camus not just for his literary genius, but for his message about what it means to live a meaningful life in a complicated world.
Both Sylvia Plath and Dylan Thomas are towering figures in the world of 20th century poetry. Each are known for their distinct voices and both carry an emotional intensity to their work that is not always seen in poetry. Though there is no evidence that these poets ever met, Sylvia Plath’s admiration for Thomas’ work is well-documented. His influence seems especially visible in her earliest work, though in the end Plath went on to carve a poetic identity very distinct from Thomas’ notable style. With their shared upcoming birthday on the horizon (both were born on October the 27th, almost 20 years apart), we thought we’d look at how these two poets are connected, and honor their shared visions and experiences.
Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet known for his rich language and vivid imagery, wrote in a rather romantic style, and often explored themes of life, death and the natural world. His poetry frequently expresses a fairly passionate celebration of life, and admiration of life’s fleeting beauty. That being said, he counters this positivity with a deep awareness of mortality and death. His popular poem Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night is a perfect example of this style. The way he used sound, rhythm and imagery generalizes him as a romantic modernist, since he blends traditional poetic techniques with powerful emotional depth.
Sylvia Plath, an American poet from a very different background from Thomas, came of age in the 1950s and 1960s, and began writing poetry from a young age. She was admittedly profoundly affected by Thomas’ work, and you can see evidence of his (almost) visceral imagery and romantic lyricism echoed in Plath’s early writing – poems like The Colossus, one of her most famous early works. Yet, where Thomas’ work might evoke a life-affirming energy and a focus on beauty, Plath’s work eventually took on a darker, more introspective tone. Plath, struggling with depression and her mental health, often focused her work on the self, on alienation and the eventual peace of death (obviously dissimilar to Thomas’ wish for us to rage against it). Her work diverged from the romanticism of Dylan Thomas in favor of her explorations of psychological trauma, gender and even the grotesque – whereas Thomas’ work focused more on a questioning of the personal and the political. While Thomas provided Plath with a solid foundation of poetry, her work would eventually grow into a voice more singular and ferocious. That being said, they shared poetic interests in language, mortality and the human psyche – no matter how distinct their eventual work is.
While as I stated earlier, these two poets came from such different backgrounds, they shared some similar experiences throughout their lives that perhaps explains their universal connection to their readership around the world. Both lives were marked with personal turmoil and struggles with mental health – most likely why their work focuses so heavily on their mortality. Both poets drew from their own inner conflicts and existential questions to display raw emotion in their writing, and each struggled with pressures of their own artistic expectations. And tragically, both met untimely, young deaths – Thomas from alcoholism at 39 and Plath by suicide at 30. Nevertheless, their work cemented them as literary icons that have stood the test of time.
