Book Review 2023.02: Super-Infinite, The Transformation of John Donne, Faber, 2022, 297 pages, Paperback, ₹699
Picked up this book while browsing through the quaint bookshop Nagasri Book House in Jayanagar Shopping Complex, a treasure drove for book lovers interested in seeing the latest publications on a wide range of subjects spanning from the latest developments in brain research to social science and literature.
What caught my eye in this biography of John Donne, the Ghalib of English love poems that I had read in my college days was his multiple facets of life. Browsing through the book, I learnt of his life, that was much more than that of a poet; for in addition, he was a rake, jailbird, lawyer, a diplomat, and a clergyman whose sermons were renowned and captivated the London elite of his time. I can say after reading this book over a week, that it held me captivated and did not disappoint.
Presenting a vivid picture of life in London at the end of 16th century and the first quarter of the 17th century, it presents a comprehensive view of life covering the economic, religious, political, social and gender issues of the time engaging not only the mind but also the heart. The high incidence of infant mortality, the cruel religious persecution people of differing Christian faith were subject to including being hung to die, the role of weekly sermons as their ‘news + entertainment’ channels of their time, and the stark economic and social inequality prevailing is not only revealing but also offers us a clear view of the progress human civilization has made in the last four centuries.
The life of John Donne itself is rich in its detail of presenting the life of an ambitious, middle-class, talented aspirant who successfully climbed the social ladders of the London elite, to engage with the royalty. His poetry connected to life events and the circumstances triggering it provides us a backdrop to appreciate it better. The language in the book is a bit heavy that made me reach out to my Webster’s New World College dictionary a couple of times each chapter, enriching my vocabulary with some words that we no longer use.
This book is not intended for light reading or those unacquainted with or unwilling to explore the rich poetry of John Donne. With this caveat, those picking up this book will not be disappointed in learning of life as it was, the concerns people they had interlaced with the joy of John Donne’s poetry.
Happy reading
