Alfred Tennyson   By: Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

Alfred Tennyson by Andrew Lang is an insightful and engaging biography of one of the greatest and most influential poets of the Victorian era. Lang's meticulous research and eloquent writing style bring Tennyson's life and works vividly to life, capturing the essence of this enigmatic literary figure.

Throughout the book, Lang delves into the various stages of Tennyson's life, starting from his humble beginnings in Lincolnshire, England, to his rise to fame in the literary world. Lang explores Tennyson's personal struggles and triumphs, shedding light on the poet's complex personality and the ups and downs he faced throughout his career.

What sets this biography apart is Lang's deep analysis of Tennyson's poetry. He carefully examines Tennyson's most notable works, providing insightful interpretations that help readers understand the themes, motifs, and emotions behind each poem. Lang's appreciation for Tennyson's artistry is evident, and his exploration of the poet's creative process adds another layer of depth to the narrative.

The author also provides a fascinating glimpse into the Victorian literary and cultural landscape, shedding light on the influences and debates that shaped Tennyson's writing. This context helps readers grasp the significance of Tennyson's works within the broader literary canon, cementing his position as a pivotal figure in English literature.

Lang's prose is elegant and engaging, making the biography accessible to both scholars and casual readers. He effortlessly combines historical facts, literary analysis, and anecdotal stories to create a well-rounded portrait of Tennyson. Lang's deep admiration for his subject shines through, and his own passion for literature is infectious.

However, one minor drawback of the book is its occasional tangents, where Lang briefly veers off-topic into discussions unrelated to Tennyson's life or work. While these diversions offer interesting insights, they can disrupt the flow of the narrative at times.

Overall, Alfred Tennyson by Andrew Lang is a comprehensive and illuminating biography that brings the reader closer to understanding one of the most celebrated poets in English literature. Lang's nuanced portrayal of Tennyson and his masterful analysis of his poetry make this a must-read for anyone interested in the Victorian era or the power of words.

First Page:

In writing this brief sketch of the Life of Tennyson, and this attempt to appreciate his work, I have rested almost entirely on the Biography by Lord Tennyson (with his kind permission) and on the text of the Poems. As to the Life, doubtless current anecdotes, not given in the Biography, are known to me, and to most people. But as they must also be familiar to the author of the Biography, I have not thought it desirable to include what he rejected. The works of the "localisers" I have not read: Tennyson disliked these researches, as a rule, and they appear to be unessential, and often hazardous. The professed commentators I have not consulted. It appeared better to give one's own impressions of the Poems, unaffected by the impressions of others, except in one or two cases where matters of fact rather than of taste seemed to be in question. Thus on two or three points I have ventured to differ from a distinguished living critic, and have given the reasons for my dissent. Professor Bradley's Commentary on In Memoriam {1} came out after this sketch was in print. Many of the comments cited by Mr Bradley from his predecessors appear to justify my neglect of these curious inquirers. The "difficulties" which they raise are not likely, as a rule, to present themselves to persons who read poetry "for human pleasure... Continue reading book >>