Recognized as one of twentieth century's greatest poets,Robert Lowell (1917-1977) was one of the originators of the 'confessional poets'. He influenced such writers as Sylvia Plath, W.D. Snodgrass, and Allen Ginsberg, Lowell opened up a way for writers to write on subjects considered taboo in the 1950s with his collection of poems called Life Studies. Sex, infidelity, and mental illness were discussed in print.
Even through his struggles with marital difficulties and mental illness, Lowell wrote clear and lucid about his own struggles. In a sense, his and other work from the confessional poets are what writing is ultimately about. It may be uncomfortable for some but it's dealing real life experiences. I'm sure this book affected many lives back then and now.
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