Ernest Dowson: Lyric Lives

Ernest Dowson's Lyric Lives is the first full-length critical study of this canonical writer, challenging myths about his life and work. It presents new readings of his work in relation to his contemporaries and the Victorian fin de siècle, exploring his myopically aesthetical attitude towards life and revealing how he transformed his own lived experience into art. The volume aims to resuscitate Dowson's oeuvre and reclaim it from likely oblivion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Ernest Dowson, a canonical writer, has been the subject of a comprehensive critical study titled "Lyric Lives." This groundbreaking work challenges the numerous myths that have shrouded Dowson's life and work for over a century. It argues that Dowson, through his unique theory of muse-fired inspiration, authentic Catholic confessionalism, profound love for France, its literary tradition, and culture, his prolonged battle with tuberculosis, and his ultimate abandonment of creative writing, emerges as one of the most engaged and representative artists of his fascinating era. Contrary to the legendary portrayal of him as a moribund dream-lover, Dowson led an engrossing and robust existence, practicing a vigorous and sulky craft. He wrote about the subjects that poets have always explored, with a distinctive style and an incorrigible élan.

In "Lyric Lives," Ernest Dowson offers a chronological and comprehensive series of generative new readings of his work, contextualizing it within the context of his notable contemporaries and the pressing cultural and aesthetic debates of the Victorian fin de siècle. The book delves into the profound implications of Dowson's and his era's myopically aesthetical attitude towards life, unveiling how he transformed his own lived experiences into art. By reinstating an author of flesh and blood at the heart of his slender canon and ousting the legendary imposter from our collective critical imagination, this volume aims to resuscitate Dowson's small but illustrious oeuvre, reclaiming it from the brink of likely oblivion.

Through his meticulous analysis and insightful interpretations, "Lyric Lives" provides a fresh perspective on Dowson's life and work, challenging long-held assumptions and revealing the complexities and contradictions that shaped his artistic journey. It sheds light on his relationships with other artists, his influences, and his struggles with personal demons. By offering a comprehensive reassessment of Dowson's legacy, this book contributes to our understanding of Victorian literature and culture, and its enduring impact on the world of poetry.

In conclusion, "Lyric Lives" is a groundbreaking critical study that offers a fresh and compelling perspective on Ernest Dowson's life and work. By challenging myths, exploring his artistic influences, and contextualizing his work within the broader cultural context of the Victorian era, this book provides a valuable addition to the literature on Dowson and his era. It restores his reputation as a significant and influential poet, and encourages readers to appreciate his unique contributions to the world of literature.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192884763