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Original Essays | December 12, 2009

Alexander McCall Smith: IMG The Courage of Others



I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War... Continue »
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1 Local Warehouse Poetry- A to Z

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The Walking-Away World

by Kenneth Patchen

The Walking-Away World Cover

ISBN13: 9780811217576
ISBN10: 0811217574
All Product Details

Only 1 left in stock at $18.95!

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The wonderful picture-poems of Kenneth Patchen, long out of print, are being brought back into one generous volume—cryptic creatures quipping quirky quotes and all.

The singular work of Kenneth Patchen has influenced poets, artists and political activists for decades. New Directions is proud to launch a Patchen revival beginning with omnibus editions of his unique compositions.

Kenneth Patchen's last words to New Directions founder James Laughlin were "When you find out which came first, the chicken or the egg, you write and tell me." Answering his own question comes Patchen's "picture-poem." The Walking-Away World reissues three of his picture-poem classics: Wonderings, But Even So, and Hallelujah Anyway. Inspired by the "illuminated printing" of William Blake, Patchen worked in a spirited fervency with watercolor, casein, inks, and other media to create absurdly compelling works. His entire process was a simultaneous fusion of painting and poetry: neither the poem nor the painting preceded one another. Each picture-poem is inhabited by strange beings uttering everything from poignant poetic adages to cheeky satire. One confides, "I have a funny feeling / that some very peculiar-looking creatures out there are watching us," which sums up the suspicious joys of The Walking-Away World.

Synopsis:

The wonderful picture-poems of Kenneth Patchen, long out of print, are being brought back into one generous volume-cryptic creatures quipping quirky quotes and all.

About the Author

Kenneth Patchen (1911-1972) was one of the most prolific American poets of his time. He was born in Niles, Ohio. He attended school at the University of Madison-Wisconsin where he met his wife, Miriam Oikemus. They moved to Greenwich Village and befriended many writers including E.E. Cummings, Anais Nïn, and Henry Miller. An accident occurred after his first publication that would eventually leave him an invalid. He and his wife later moved to San Francisco during the early years of the Beat Movement. Many Beat poets would cite Patchen as a major influence. His "experimental protests" in poetry, painting, and prose remain unprecedented. Aside from his many books of poetry, his acclaimed novels, and his concrete visual works, Kenneth Patchen also collaborated with John Cage for the radio-play The City Wears a Slouch Hat, and worked with Charles Mingus developing jazz poetry. Patchen was an unwavering pacifist and many of his works have a political bent. Patchen was the first recipient of an NEA Literary Grant in 1967.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
don stone, August 27, 2008 (view all comments by don stone)
these are treasures
like when you find
a sparkling stone
by the river, or
witness a simple
display of human
kindness on some
chaotic city street.
k. patchen's creatures
know the depth of
our sheltered hearts.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780811217576
Author:
Patchen, Kenneth
Publisher:
New Directions Publishing Corporation
Preface:
Woodring, Jim
Introduction:
Woodring, Jim
Author:
Woodring, Jim
Subject:
American - General
Subject:
Single Author / American
Series:
New Directions Paperbook
Series Volume:
1116
Publication Date:
July 2008
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
273
Dimensions:
8.90x5.90x.70 in. .85 lbs.

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