The Power of Adrienne Rich: A Biography

A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
"A comprehensive biography of . . . one of the most acclaimed poets of her generation and a face of American feminism."--New York Times

A major American writer, thinker, and activist, Adrienne Rich (1929-2012) transformed herself from a traditional, Radcliffe-educated lyric poet and married mother of three sons into a path-breaking lesbian-feminist author of forceful, uncompromising prose as well as poetry. In doing so, she emerged as an architect and exemplar of the feminist movement, breaking ranks to denounce the male-dominated literary establishment and paving the way for women writers to take their places in the cultural mainstream. Drawing on a wealth of unpublished materials, including Rich's correspondence and in-depth interviews with many people who knew her, Hilary Holladay provides a vividly detailed, full-dimensional portrait of a woman whose work and life continue to challenge and inspire new generations.

Author: Hilary Holladay
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 04/15/2025
Pages: 504
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.23lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 1.70d
ISBN13: 9780691276366
ISBN10: 0691276366
BISAC Categories:
- Biography & Autobiography | Literary Figures
- Biography & Autobiography | Women
- Biography & Autobiography | LGBTQ+

About the Author
Hilary Holladay is a biographer, journalist, and scholar of modern and contemporary American poetry. Her books include Herbert Huncke: The Times Square Hustler Who Inspired Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation, which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, and Wild Blessings: The Poetry of Lucille Clifton.