Judith Farr Knihy

Set in 1847, the narrative explores Emily Dickinson's life as a vibrant seventeen-year-old at a female seminary, where she experiences the duality of intellectual excitement and oppressive surroundings. Through her passionate letters home, she expresses her irreverent spirit and deep connections with friends. After her death, the reflections and misunderstandings of those close to her reveal the complexities of her character and the challenge of assessing her poetic legacy. The book delves into themes of creativity, isolation, and posthumous perception.

In this first substantial study of Emily Dickinson's devotion to flowers and gardening, Farr seeks to join both poet and gardener in one creative personality, casting new light on Dickinson's temperament, aesthetic sensibility, and vision of the relationship between art and nature.