John Donne: Man of Flesh and Spirit [Paperback]

David L. Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

Donne is best known as a poet of love, never describing physical beauty in detail but brilliantly able to recreate a man's experience of love's emotions and realities, but he is much else besides. He is a poet of the spiritual journey who in his power speaks to others in travail, a great preacher who soars into word-music and encapsulates complex theology in illuminating epigrams.David Edwards ranges across all Donne's writings, including the critically neglected sermons, to produce a new and compelling portrait of this tortured and contradictory figure. As the tree's sap doth seek the root belowIn winter, in my winter now I go,Where none but thee, th'Eternal rootOf true Love, I may know.--JOHN DONNE>

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An immensely readable book about the poet and churchman, the son of a London merchant whose background was strongly influenced by Catholic recusancy but who, during studies at Oxford and the Inns of Court, was eventually drawn to the Church of England….David Edwards…is an experienced and gifted writer….his John Donne?…a masterpiece could hardly be bettered. And one more accolade: Edwards is never dull but always interesting. And the wonder is that he's not a professional historian." --Yorkshire Post

"Edwards' picture of what Donne 'really was' is more convincing than most." --The Spectator (UK)

"Written with wit and a critical compassion, this account does full justice to its subject, revelling in the usual frankness of Donne about his own sexuality, his fascination with death, and his love of God."--Parish News / The Sign

"[Edwards] may have an advantage over commentators who have concentrated on the poems to the exclusion of the sermons…he offers excellent corrections to the opinions of John Carey in his John Donne…Edwards it at his best in demonstrating that Carey simply does not know what he is talking about….David Edwards is to be congratulated for stating the case so clearly, and with eloquence."--The Tablet, May 19, 2001

"Pays more attention than most Donne analysts to the sermons, for which obviously he has special qualifications. His book seems acute and knowledgeable as well as being notably well written."--The Irish Times, June 2, 2001

"Donne is not everyone's cup of tea, but in this book the former Provost of Southwark has made a brave attempt to understand and describe him and the various stages of his life and work…Edwards looks at a number of the controversies and questions that surround Donne and he is not afraid to disagree with other writers. Along the way he paints a fascinating picture of Victorian England. Devotees of Donne will be glad to have this volume on their shelves."--New Directions, August 2001

"It is for the […] non-specialised audience that Edwards says he offers this book. But in its very accessible (and affordable) pages, he also offers a timely and tactful contribution to important and scholarly debates which demands attention from don and dilettante alike… Edwards sagely asks: "Where is the man?" The general result of that enquiry is a generous assessment of the life and works which realistically, but never indulgently, emphasises the inconsistencies, moods, and varied motives for Donne's writing…David Edwards has performed a great service for Donne, and for his admirers and his critics."--Church Times, October 12, 2001

"Offers a detailed and interesting appraisal of Donne's preaching and beliefs….there is an engaging candour in Edwards's approach…Donne himself warned Charles I that a king's political inertia could result in his being overlooked by history…By allowing Donne to speak to the reader in his own words, Edwards may save him from such an ignoble fate."--New Statesman, July 2, 2001

"The book offers fine interpretations of many poems, using them to illuminate Donne's life and vice versa. Those interested in Donne's religious development also will enjoy the chapters on his sermons... well-written." --The Tennessean, November 11, 2001.

"A challenging new look at this 'man of flesh and spirit'."--Independent on Sunday, December 23, 2001 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

David Edwards has retired but was previously Provost of Southwark Cathedral, a Fellow of All Souls College, Editor of the SCM Press, Dean of King's College, Cambridge, Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey, Speaker's Chaplain in the Commons and Dean of Norwich. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802805221
• ISBN-13: 978-0802805225
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,210,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Is This the Same Book?, November 5, 2005

By 

Reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Donne: Man of Flesh and Spirit (Paperback)

Not simply to engage with the previous reviewer, but I must wonder if we are reading the same book? Edwards' volume on Donne presents a very human view of the complicated individual that Donne was; very far from hagiography. Donne's own distinctive place in the Church of England of his time - and what we would now call Anglicanism - is vividly presented. This book does seem to me to be well informed in terms of literatary criticism and engages responsibly with Donne scholarship across the spectrum. The poetry is not disparaged; it's just not the main focus. This would be a fine introduction to Donne's theological and homiletical work.

13 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Donne Undone Again, February 25, 2003

By 

Sharon Andrews (Fort Lauderdale, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Donne: Man of Flesh and Spirit (Paperback)

This "biography/criticism" of John Donne does little more than reveal Mr. Edwards' own prejudices. As a theologian, Mr. Edwards showcases his contempt for Donne's early life and work, and uses Donne's later sermons and religious poems to display his own religious erudition. Mr. Edwards appears to see Donne as nothing but an Anglican apologist. The book shows limited understanding of historical or literary criticism, and scant sympathy with Donne's very human struggles. This book merely reinforces the already muddled body of Donne scholarship.