Why read The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley?

Book cover of The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley: A Poet's Journeys Through American Slavery and Independence

Book description

“[An] erudite, enlightening new biography . . . [Waldstreicher’s] interpretations equal Wheatley’s own intentional verse, making it a joy to follow along as he unpacks her words and their arrangement.” ―Tiya Miles, The Atlantic

“Thoroughly researched, beautifully rendered and cogently argued . . . The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley is…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

David W. Stowe

Author

I admit that I picked up this book mainly because I’m researching the musical scene of revolutionary-era Boston. I figured this new book would offer some state-of-the-art context I could learn from. But even apart from my pragmatic motive, it was a stimulating read.

Wheatley is such an unlikely figure you would almost have to make her up. Kidnapped at around age seven from West Africa, she was shipped to America and purchased by a genteel Boston couple. They quickly recognized her genius.

Within a few years, she was reading the Bible, of course, but also English poets Pope and…

From David's 3 favorite reads in 2023.