Synopses & Reviews
It is extraordinary that one can take the measure of how radically cultural sensibilities can change throughout a century by a careful reading of only two textsin this case Rainer Maria Rilkes
Duino Elegies, written in the midst of the First World War, and George Bowerings brilliant response to Rilkes call, the
Kerrisdale Elegies, composed in the midst of the Cold War.
Rilkes poem begins and ends with a modernist appeal to the transcendent. It opens with; Who, if I were to scream, would then hear me, among the angelic orders
,” and ends with a nostalgic evocation of the muse of grief attendant at the spectacle of the sacrifice of youth; we who aspire to an ascendant fortune, are overcome by astonishment at the fortunates fall.” [Rilkes italics]
Compare to Bowerings opening; If I did complain, who among my friends would hear?” and his closing; The single events that raise our eyes and stop our time are saying goodbye, lover, goodbye.”
Bowerings Kerrisdale Elegies are a profoundly compelling illustration of Pounds instruction to all translatorsto make it new.” In the intertextuality of these two great masterworks is to be found the birth of a post-modern writing that is self-aware, where the other is discovered in the process of the writer writing, and is not a referent, neither secular nor divine, outside of the text itself, and therefore ultimately estranged from both the writer and the reader.
Williams dictum, too, that writers should write no ideas but in things” so thoroughly infuses Bowerings Kerrisdale Elegies, that while they are an exact equivalent to Rilkes emblematic masterpieceseparated as they are by three generations of one of the most tumultuous centuries in human historythey are not a translation, but a living, vibrant transformation of the work.
Review
"A lyricism that is spring-sweet and without boast or threat
Bowering has poured all his considerable power into one vessel, and he must be read."
Globe and Mail
Review
"The scope...is breathtaking, and its accomplishment matches its ambition."--Books in Canada
Synopsis
The Kerrisdale Elegies are a compelling illustration of Pound's dictum--to "make it new." Williams' poetics too, to write "no ideas but in things" so thoroughly infuses Bowering's long poem, that while it is an exact equivalent to Rilke's Duino Elegies--separated as they are by three generations of one of the most tumultuous centuries in human history--it is not a translation, but a living, vibrant transformation of the work.
In the intertextuality of these great masterworks is found the birth of post-modern writing that is self-aware, where the other is discovered in the process of the writer writing, and is not a referent, neither secular nor divine, outside of the text itself, and therefore ultimately estranged from both the writer and the reader.
Synopsis
Bowering responds to Rilkes
Duino Elegies to create post-modern literature that discovers the other during the process of writing.
About the Author
George BoweringGeorge Bowering, Canadas first Poet Laureate and co-founder of the avant-garde poetry magazine TISH, was born in the Okanagan Valley.
A distinguished novelist, poet, editor, professor, historian and tireless supporter of fellow writers, Bowering has authored more than 80 books, including works of poetry, fiction, autobiography, biography and youth fiction.
In 2002, Bowering was recognized by the Vancouver Sun as one of the most influential people in British Columbia.
In 2011, he received the Lieutenant Governors Award for Literary Excellence in British Columbia.