Super-Infinite

This is the second biography I've read where I didn't really know anything about the person who was the subject of the book; it's nice to go in as a blank slate instead of as a fan, and see what happens.

And what happened was that I had a good time learning about Donne, but the thing that made him famous and worthy of a biography - his writing - didn't interest me much at all. For the first half of the book I dutifully read each of the passages of poetry, but they didn't mean a thing to me, and from then on I skipped them. I think it's great that his writing continues to set people alight, and I'm also fine with not being one of them.

What did set me alight was author Rundell's own writing. Absolute powerhouse stuff, witty and evocative and honest and insightful. As I said, I didn't know a thing about Donne or why he mattered, but I was in good hands with Rundell guiding me along. Definitely a good read.

An biography that is enthusiastic and beautifully written. It has widened my interest in Donne and I am now looking forward to reading his later works.