What Does Not Change: The Significance of Charles Olson's 'the Kingfishers'

by Ralph Maud

Taking its title from the first line of Charles Olson's poem "The Kingfishers," this book provides a full-scale exegesis of that milestone poem in postwar American literature. Maud demonstrates that this poem is so crucial to understanding Olson's development that a study of it takes one into every aspect of Olson's early life and thought. This long-awaited explication (Guy Davenport announced its existence and anticipated its importance in 1985) removes what has been an obstacle in the path of further study of Olson.

Genres: Literary Criticism

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Justin Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you want to read Olson's poem 'The Kingfishers'? It's really good. And this is probably the best thing to read along with it, despite Maud's tendency to hagiography and his inability to provide a general answer to the question "So what?" Lots of specific information though, and it's nicely written as all his stuff is.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Highly recommended! Best author on Charles Olson I have encountered.