Listen to James Merrill: Life and Art by Langdon Hammer
Enjoy this audiobook with MP3 Audiobook Player - the ultimate iOS audiobook experience
Langdon Hammer has given us the first biography of the poet James Merrill (1926–95), whose life is surely one of the most fascinating in American literature. Merrill was born to high privilege and high expectations as the son of Charles Merrill, the charismatic cofounder of the brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, and Hellen Ingram, a muse, ally, and antagonist throughout her son’s life. Wounded by his parents’ bitter divorce, he was the child of a broken home, looking for repair in poetry and love. This is the story of a young man escaping, yet also reenacting, the energies and obsessions of those powerful parents. It is the story of a gay man inventing his identity against the grain of American society during the eras of the closet, gay liberation, and AIDS. Above all, it is the story of a brilliantly gifted, fiercely dedicated poet working every day to turn his life into art. After college at Amherst and a period of adventure in Europe, Merrill returned to the New York art world of the 1950s (he was friendly with W. H. Auden, Maya Deren, Truman Capote, Larry Rivers, Elizabeth Bishop, and other midcentury luminaries) and began publishing poems, plays, and novels. In 1953, he fell in love with an aspiring writer, David Jackson. They explored “boys and bars” as they made their life together in Connecticut and later in Greece and Key West. At the same time, improbably, they carried on a forty-year conversation with spirits of the Other World by means of a Ouija board. The board became a source of poetic inspiration for Merrill, culminating in his prizewinning, uncanny, one-of-a-kind work The Changing Light at Sandover. In his virtuosic poetry and in the candid letters and diaries that enrich every page of this deliciously readable life, Merrill created a prismatic art of multiple perspectives and comic self-knowledge, expressing hope for a world threatened by nuclear war and environmental catastrophe. Holding this life and art together in a complex, evolving whole, Hammer illuminates Merrill's “chronicles of love & loss” and the poignant personal journey they record.
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines – it's a game-changer. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it. Elegant design and easy-to-navigate interface. Very pleased with ListenBook.
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook has made my commutes more enjoyable, transforming them into learning sessions. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. ⏰ Waking up to audiobooks – mornings have never been this magical and inspiring! ☀️🎧 Mastering audiobook navigation – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content – it's my new favorite app. This app has turned my screen time into valuable learning opportunities. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's thoughtful features, such as statistics tracking and audio filters, have added a new layer of excitement to my reading journey. 📚✨ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Plays MP3, MP4, OPUS, OGG, FLAC, AWB, M4B, M4A, WMA, AAC formats
Optimized for iPhone, iPad, and iPod with seamless integration
Adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 3.0x for your listening preference
Import audiobooks via iTunes, cloud services, or direct downloads
Get your favorite audiobooks in supported formats from various sources
Import audiobooks to MP3 Audiobook Player using multiple methods
Control playback from your device, headphones, Apple Watch, or CarPlay
Join thousands of users who enjoy audiobooks with MP3 Audiobook Player daily
Download Now