• Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire

  • A Study of Genius, Mania, and Character
  • By: Kay Redfield Jamison
  • Narrated by: Jefferson Mays
  • Length: 17 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (103 ratings)

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Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire  By  cover art

Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire

By: Kay Redfield Jamison
Narrated by: Jefferson Mays
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Publisher's summary

PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST • In this magisterial study of the relationship between illness and art, the best-selling author of An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison, brings an entirely fresh understanding to the work and life of Robert Lowell (1917-1977), whose intense, complex, and personal verse left a lasting mark on the English language and changed the public discourse about private matters.

In his Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry, Robert Lowell put his manic-depressive illness (now known as bipolar disorder) into the public domain, creating a language for madness that was new and arresting. As Dr. Jamison brings her expertise in mood disorders to bear on Lowell’s story, she illuminates not only the relationships among mania, depression, and creativity but also the details of Lowell’s treatment and how illness and treatment influenced the great work that he produced (and often became its subject). Lowell’s New England roots, early breakdowns, marriages to three eminent writers, friendships with other poets such as Elizabeth Bishop, his many hospitalizations, his vivid presence as both a teacher and a maker of poems—Jamison gives us the poet’s life through a lens that focuses our understanding of his intense discipline, courage, and commitment to his art. Jamison had unprecedented access to Lowell’s medical records, as well as to previously unpublished drafts and fragments of poems, and she is the first biographer to have spoken with his daughter, Harriet Lowell. With this new material and a psychologist’s deep insight, Jamison delivers a bold, sympathetic account of a poet who was—both despite and because of mental illness—a passionate, original observer of the human condition.

©2017 Kay Redfield Jamison (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

One of the Best Books of the Year: The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Seattle Times, and The Times Literary Supplement

“Groundbreaking . . . A real contribution to the literary history of New England . . . A case study of what a person with an extraordinary will, an unwavering sense of vocation, and a huge talent . . . could and could not do about the fact that the defining feature of his gift was also the source of his suffering.” —Dan Chiasson, The New Yorker

"Remarkable . . . Absorbing . . . Jamison approaches Lowell’s vexed life not only with scholarly authority but also with literary talent and confidence . . . One reads this biography—so full of incident—as one would read a novel, led by each page to the next, fearing and hoping as one follows the excruciating volatility of Lowell’s life and the unpredictable evolution of his art.” —Helen Vendler, The New York Review of Books

What listeners say about Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire

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Review of Robert Lowell by Kay Jamison

Powerful, tragic, and elegiac. Mr. Lowell was a genius with great pain and great courage ( although he often sounded like a nightmare you were literally screaming to wake up from). Dr. Jamison writes with understanding and warmth and is a poet in her own right. One can only hope that Mr. Lowell has found peace.

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3 people found this helpful

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Fabulous and fascinating

Where does Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Although in many ways a tragic biography of one of Americas great poets, the reading is so intelligent and sensitive it makes the whole experience come to life

What other book might you compare Robert Lowell, Setting the River on Fire to and why?

dont know

Which character – as performed by Jefferson Mays – was your favorite?

robert Lowell

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

Any additional comments?

Jefferson Mays is a terrific reader

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great

This is one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. It really opened my eyes. After reading Red Comet, a biography of Sylvia Plath I decided to read this. After hearing Lowell was Plath’s teacher and inspiration. I suspect Plath may have suffered, like Lowell, from bipolar. I also read a biography of Jim Morrison who suffered with alcoholism. I suspect however he may have been bipolar too. Though neither he or Plath were ever diagnosed. I’m not a doctor I don’t know. Lowell was fortunate he was able to get diagnosed and treated for bipolar. And able to live longer than either Plath or Morrison.

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1 person found this helpful

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Don't bother

Just doesn't have the quality and interest of her other books. We read it for our book club of intellectual folks and everyone hated the book.. We all like Jamison so it was a surprise. Also why did she have male narrator. She writes the book from her voice so it doesn't make any sense. The poetry is good otherwise b o r I n g.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The best biography I have ever read

This is an amazing book. Robert Lowell was a person who faltered, a lot. But also openly and honestly reflected on it with much sincerity and brutal truth. He lets us learn lessons through his life and therefore his work. His work was his life. Even if you aren’t interested in poetry I recommend this. Especially if you suffer from bipolar as I do. I felt like I was listening to the life of an old friend. I was brought to tears many times. Having mental illness, being able to relate to someone else who suffered with such close relation thanks to his openness is comforting. I was sad this ended.

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Heartbreaking. Beautiful. Unique.

One of the best biographies I’ve ever read. Or listen to…

The author is expert in both poetry and mania, and she tells the story about one of our greatest American poets with insight, empathy, and amazing detail.

I highly recommend this.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant!

Brilliant work, excellent reading, outstanding experience. I have been reading this author for years and this is just a continuation of her scholarly excellence.

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A Biographical Masterpiece

written with a remarkable capacity to combine tenderness with an attention to detail that Lowell would have wanted.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Repetitive. Had trouble following along.

Couldn't get into the reading flow because the content was so scattered. Not what I was expecting.

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Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Mediocre writing from a Jamison, whose books I have enjoyed. Lowell's life is not particularly interesting from the outside, and there is nothing here Jamison hasn't covered. I am sorry I spent a credit on this book. I am a poet, and I have Bipolar 2.

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