Mark Strand and the Poets Place in Contemporary Culture

by David K. Kirby

Poet Mark Strand has become increasingly well-known in literary circles for his theme of the disappearance of the self. In eight volumes of poetry, Strand has set himself apart from what David Kirby calls "the Technicolor cartoon of contemporary life." The poet counters the brashness of a television culture with a poetic voice that is subdued, almost plain, but no less stunning--indeed, abundantly rich. In this first book-length study of Strand, Kirby explores the theme of self-effacement that begins with Strand's Reason for Moving, is developed in Darker and The Story of Our Lives, and reaches its peak in his one-of-a-kind collection of poetry, prose, and translation, The Monument. Kirby analyzes the poet's quiet power as he discusses Strands poetry, short fiction, children's literature, and art criticism. Twenty-two yet-unpublished poems receive their first critical treatment in Kirby's book. Mark Strand and the Poet's Place in Contemporary Culture gives a fascinating and thorough introduction to Strand's writing. It will be a valuable resource not only for the study of this important modern poet, but for the study of modernism and postmodernism as well.

89 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Michael Broomfield]

useful