Anne Sexton

"The Complete Poems"

Published October 5, 2000 7:00PM (EDT)

Anne Sexton began writing poetry at the age of twenty-nine. In spite of alcoholism and the mental illness that ultimately led her to suicide, she created a body of work for which she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1966. She is one of few writers to have enjoyed the rare distinction of being a popular American poet. In addition to her skill as a writer, she was lauded by audiences as a glamorous and exciting performer of her work.

The subject matter addressed in her poetry is very personal and deals with such issues as career and ambition, love and madness, children and godliness. She was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in London and her works include "To Bedlam And Part Way Back," "All My Pretty Ones" and "Live or Die."

Listen now to Anne Sexton read her poem "All My Pretty Ones" from the release Anne Sexton Reads (HarperAudio) and to "Said the Poet to the Analyst" and "The Truth The Dead Know" from Anne Sexton: The Voice Of The Poet (Random House Audio).


By Salon Staff

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