Letters: Poems 1953-1956

by Robert Duncan

Poetry. First published by the Jargon Society in 1958, LETTERS announces the major phase of Robert Duncan's writing. Though long unavailable, it stands as a foundational book of postmodern poetry, setting "self-creation and self-consciousness in constant interplay" (in the author's own words). Edited by Robert J. Bertholf, this new edition includes an afterword as well as a series of memos from Duncan to the typesetter Claude Fredericks. Also included are Duncan's original illustrations for the book.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Edward Duncan (January 7, 1919 – February 3, 1988) was an American poet associated with any number of literary traditions and schools, Duncan is often identified with the poets of the New American Poetry and Black Mountain College. Duncan saw his work as emerging especially from the tradition of Pound, Williams and Lawrence. Duncan was a key figure in the San Francisco Renaissance.

Reviews

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Duncan, you'll like this. But it, at times, could be a little snore-worthy. Great-lookin' production though from the FLOOD EDITIONS people.

[Craig Morgan Teicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stunningly beautiful book-object.

[Jennifer Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although many of these poems and pieces contain imagery that can all but freeze a reader's breath, I fear it's not a collection I could really recommend. As a whole, the collection feels more experimental than powerful, and as much as I love poetry, I didn't find myself enjoying much of this read. I'm not the biggest fan of Duncan's work, though I read him enough in poetry courses, but this collection left me less engaged even than others, and although I could appreciate the works, I simply didn't get any real enjoyment from them.