Book Review - Katherine Rundell's Super-Infinite
Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: September 6th, 2022
Format: Kindle, 348 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
To Buy (different edition than one reviewed)
John Donne was born a Catholic at a time when it was very dangerous to be a Catholic. Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne, but Mary's reign left a bitter aftertaste in everyone's mouth, resulting in Catholics being in danger primarily because the crown was living in constant fear of a Catholic conspiracy. This was brought home to Donne, not just by family tales of the death of his great-great-uncle Thomas More, but by constantly being punished for his religion. He was unable to take his degree at Oxford because he was unwilling to take the Oath of Supremacy. But the bitterest pill to swallow was when he and his younger brother returned to London where they were both accepted into the Inns of Court. His brother was caught harboring a Catholic priest, a foolish act, that resulted in him going to Newgate Prison where he died of the plague. Donne abandoned his career and perhaps started to abandon his faith. He left the life he knew at Lincoln's Inn where he was the wit forever writing poetry to amuse his friends and took to the high seas. He became a pirate. Though technically he was a privateer, because that's what you call a pirate in the pay of the crown. He served under both Sir Waler Raleigh and the Earl of Essex, two of Queen Elizabeth's favorites. Though she wasn't best pleased about what happened at Cadiz. When Donne returned to London he was well placed to start a diplomatic career and twice in his life he'd serve in Parliament, but it was his work for Sir Thomas Egerton that would change his life. Egerton was the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and while living at York House Donne would be present for many an historical occasion, including the house arrest of the Earl of Essex. But it was also where he met his wife, Anne. They corresponded and then wed in secret. When it was discovered Donne was arrested and his career was destroyed. Once his father-in-law accepted that the were legally married they were still shunned by society and took up residence with one of Anne's cousins, who was an inveterate gambler. Many, many children followed. Many, many children died. The Queen died, James I ascended the throne. The king though didn't wish Donne's return to court, he wished him to take holy orders. An order that would prove historic and lucrative. Donne was a born preacher as well as a poet. He died during the reign of Charles I, beloved by the public, he would be remembered, forever.
There's a theatricality about Elizabethan England. One could say it's because of Shakespeare, but that would be presumptive and looking back on that time with our modern lens. But it can't be denied that everyone was performative and strived to be larger than life, which is why I am fascinated with the era. Just look to the events surrounding the Earl of Essex which are presented in this book. The Earl of Essex was the stepson of the Queen's supposed "one true love" Robert Dudley, who became her favorite over his stepfather and repaid the Queen by being a petulant shit and staging an insurrection resulting in him being executed for treason, which is something I fully support. The execution, not the treason. This is the world to which John Donne aspired to be a part of. And he was. He served under the Earl of Essex and later was in the household that was responsible for keeping the Earl under house arrest. It's actually quite astonishing that someone remembered for his poetry was a seminal figure of his day. Of course, there are poets that through their lives have became cultural icons, just look to Byron and Shelley. Sure Shelley ran off with his bride, but did it land him in prison? Well, it might have had he come back to England and not died. Were any of them pirates? Or priests? Did a single one of them annoy a king so much that their life might have been in the balance? And that is just a small fraction of Donne's life. It is mind-blowing just how often this man reinvented himself. His life, completely omitting his output as a writer, is worthy of a lavish period drama. Obviously a miniseries which each episode capturing a different side of him. Add in that he is one of the most famous poets ever, in fact Jane Austen's favorite, and his life is kind of inconceivable. And I do know what that word means. As one of my friends pointed out, he's kind of the Lando Calrissian of his day and I can not find fault with this argument. Especially once he brings in the capes. But what makes this book on Donne truly memorable is Katherine Rundell's own wit. She has a snarky way of writing and doesn't hesitate to call Donne out on his bullshit. She makes you feel the astonishment that all this happened in the span of one man's lifetime. A lifetime that didn't even last sixty years. Though what makes her an epic writer is leaving his most famous quote until the very end. You've read about Donne, you know he's famous, but did you know he's "no man is an island" famous?
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