The Ancient Rain, Poems 1956-1978

Fiction & Literature, Poetry, American
Cover of the book The Ancient Rain, Poems 1956-1978 by Bob Kaufman, New Directions
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bob Kaufman ISBN: 9780811213639
Publisher: New Directions Publication: May 17, 2017
Imprint: New Directions Language: English
Author: Bob Kaufman
ISBN: 9780811213639
Publisher: New Directions
Publication: May 17, 2017
Imprint: New Directions
Language: English

"Mr. Kaufman has a genuine lyric talent, and his poetry is sensuous, exciting, and charged with vitality." —Publishers Weekly

The Ancient Rain: Poems 1956-1978 is San Francisco poet Bob Kaufman’s third collection and his first to be published since the late 1960s. One of the original Beat poets (the coinage "beatnik" is his), Kaufman’s work has always been essentially improvisational, often done to jazz accompaniment. And he became something of a legendary figure at the poetry readings in the early days of the San Francisco renaissance of the 1950s. With his extemporaneous technique, akin in many ways to Surrealist automatic writing, he has produced a body of work ranging from a visionary lyricism infused with satirical, almost Dadaistic elements to a prophetic poetry of political and social protest. Born in New Orleans of mixed Black and Jewish parentage, Kaufman was one of fourteen children. During twenty years in the Merchant Marine, he cultivated an intense taste for literature on his long sea voyages. Settling in California, in the ’50s, he became active in the burgeoning West Coast literary scene. Disappointment, drugs, and imprisonment led him to take a ten-year vow of complete silence that lasted until 1973. The present volume includes previously uncollected poems written prior to his pledge and newer work composed in the years 1973-1978, before the poet once again lapsed into silence. 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

"Mr. Kaufman has a genuine lyric talent, and his poetry is sensuous, exciting, and charged with vitality." —Publishers Weekly

The Ancient Rain: Poems 1956-1978 is San Francisco poet Bob Kaufman’s third collection and his first to be published since the late 1960s. One of the original Beat poets (the coinage "beatnik" is his), Kaufman’s work has always been essentially improvisational, often done to jazz accompaniment. And he became something of a legendary figure at the poetry readings in the early days of the San Francisco renaissance of the 1950s. With his extemporaneous technique, akin in many ways to Surrealist automatic writing, he has produced a body of work ranging from a visionary lyricism infused with satirical, almost Dadaistic elements to a prophetic poetry of political and social protest. Born in New Orleans of mixed Black and Jewish parentage, Kaufman was one of fourteen children. During twenty years in the Merchant Marine, he cultivated an intense taste for literature on his long sea voyages. Settling in California, in the ’50s, he became active in the burgeoning West Coast literary scene. Disappointment, drugs, and imprisonment led him to take a ten-year vow of complete silence that lasted until 1973. The present volume includes previously uncollected poems written prior to his pledge and newer work composed in the years 1973-1978, before the poet once again lapsed into silence. 

More books from New Directions

Cover of the book Gogol's Wife: & Other Stories by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book The Setting Sun by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Women Poets of Japan by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Tell Them of Battles, Kings, and Elephants by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book The Skating Rink by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Vertigo by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book The Hundred Days by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book House Mother Normal by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book The Life Around Us: Selected Poems on Nature by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Moise and the World of Reason by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Negative Space by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book End to Torment: A Memoir of Ezra Pound by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book As a Friend: A Novel by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Exercises in Style by Bob Kaufman
Cover of the book Mr. Kafka: And Other Tales from the Time of the Cult by Bob Kaufman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy