| This is the second and final volume of Richard Holmes' very detailed biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
The book covers the latter half of Coleridge's life, dealing with his escalating opium addiction, and its physical and mental consequences, his unhappy marriage to Sarah Fricker, and his deteriorating relationship with Wordsworth. Richard Holmes paints a sympathetic picture of a lovable, very bright man who is unable to function at a consistent level in any area of his life, and who seeks refuge in opium, alcohol and philosophy. There are many moments of humour in this somewhat bleak story, which concludes with Coleridge's death in 1834. His great interest in all things continued on to his deathbed, and he spent his final hours describing the process to those around him. His last words were: "Why, I feel I could almost be witty." | ||
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Plot & Themes job/profession: Job/profession/poverty story Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Unusual characteristics: Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Century: - 18th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful Pictures/Illustrations? - More 6-10 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 51%-75% of book |
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