The Wonderful Pen of May Swenson

A biography of the American poet with excerpts from her poems and photographs from her personal collection.

Grade 4-6-This slim volume introduces readers to a modern American poet. Although Swenson died in 1989 at age 70, the portrait concentrates on her Mormon beginnings, days as a struggling writer, and early literary successes. While the narrative is generally well paced, it stops at mid-life, leaving youngsters to wonder what happened next; they will have to wait for the projected sequel for the rest of the story. Knudson draws heavily on unpublished letters and diaries as she offers glimpses of the woman's personal strengths as well as her human frailties. Bits of verse, replete with Swenson's sharp imagery and fresh observations, blend into the text. Candid, black-and-white snapshots of varying quality are interspersed throughout. An insightful look at a writer and her craft.
Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

As Swenson's longtime companion and literary executor's title suggests, this biography centers on the poet's literary evolution. Knudson does describe key characters and events-- Swenson's Utah youth as oldest child in a large, devout Mormon family; her escape to N.Y.C. as a young woman during the Depression; her hand-to-mouth existence as a struggling poet unwilling to compromise enough to hold a job; years of rejection slips; volatile relationships. None of these is portrayed in depth (Swenson's feelings toward her family are left particularly enigmatic), but Knudson offers enough revealing detail to give a sense of this fiercely independent woman's character. Best, she quotes many poems that illuminate Swenson's experiences; and describes the act of creation (``Her way of working was to begin poems with lines that seemed to leap out of thin air'') and the way she thought about it (``She'd had fun choosing the adjectives to pour into `Sun,' but she'd weakened the poem with too many of them''). Five of her poems are published for the first time here. A provocative, insightful portrayal of a fine contemporary poet, much of whose work has particular appeal for young people. List of Swenson's books. B&w photos & index not seen. (Biography. 10- 14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 7-10. This literary biography of May Swenson weaves together many of her poems with the story of her life. Knudson, who was Swenson's companion for the poet's final 23 years, outlines the external events of Swenson's life--her childhood in a big Mormon family; her struggle to make a living in New York City from the time of the Depression; her growing success as an award-winning poet until her death in 1989--but the main focus is on Swenson's thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, Knudson's account is so restrained that there's little sense of the poet's inner life, other than that Swenson was shy and loved nature. What made Swenson angry? What hurt her? Was she ever mean? We are told nothing about Swenson's personal life, only that she was determined not to marry and have kids and that she lived with various women friends. Knudson is Swenson's literary executor, and what she does best is to quote many of the poems in full and to introduce them with brief, sensitive comments that will lure readers to Swenson's work. Hazel Rochman