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Tough Heaven - Poems of Pittsburgh
For the first time in one book, Jack Gilbert's poems of Pittsburgh may be read together, showing a continuity of feeling and theme over five decades. The beauty and severity, the lushness and irresistible power that is Pittsburgh runs through these poems by way of Mr. Gilbert's distinctive poetic manner of absolute authenticity. They show, time and again, the stamp of place on the body and soul of one of America's truly genuine poets. This small collection, a limited edition, will be seen in the coming years as indispensable to lovers of Jack Gilbert's poetry.
- GenresPoetry
24 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
105 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gilbert
28 books308 followersBorn and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.'s neighborhood of East Liberty, he attended Peabody High School then worked as a door-to-door salesman, an exterminator, and a steelworker. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where he and his classmate Gerald Stern developed a serious interest in poetry and writing.
His work is distinguished by simple lyricism and straightforward clarity of tone. Though his first book of poetry (Views of Jeopardy, 1962) was quickly recognized and Gilbert himself made into something of a media darling, he retreated from his earlier activity in the San Francisco poetry scene (where he participated in Jack Spicer's Poetry as Magic workshop) and moved to Europe, touring from country to country while living on a Guggenheim Fellowship. Nearly the whole of his career after the publication of his first book of poetry is marked by what he has described in interviews as a self-imposed isolation—which some have considered to be a spiritual quest to describe his alienation from mainstream American culture, and others have dismissed as little more than an extended period as a "professional houseguest" living off of wealthy American literary admirers. Subsequent books of poetry have been few and far between. He continued to write, however, and between books has occasionally contributed to The American Poetry Review, Genesis West, The Quarterly, Poetry, Ironwood, The Kenyon Review, and The New Yorker.
He was a close friend of the poet Linda Gregg who was once his student and to whom he was married for six years. He was also married to Michiko Nogami (a language instructor based in San Francisco, now deceased, about whom he has written many of his poems). He was also in a significant long term relationship with the Beat poet Laura Ulewicz during the fifties in San Francisco.
His work is distinguished by simple lyricism and straightforward clarity of tone. Though his first book of poetry (Views of Jeopardy, 1962) was quickly recognized and Gilbert himself made into something of a media darling, he retreated from his earlier activity in the San Francisco poetry scene (where he participated in Jack Spicer's Poetry as Magic workshop) and moved to Europe, touring from country to country while living on a Guggenheim Fellowship. Nearly the whole of his career after the publication of his first book of poetry is marked by what he has described in interviews as a self-imposed isolation—which some have considered to be a spiritual quest to describe his alienation from mainstream American culture, and others have dismissed as little more than an extended period as a "professional houseguest" living off of wealthy American literary admirers. Subsequent books of poetry have been few and far between. He continued to write, however, and between books has occasionally contributed to The American Poetry Review, Genesis West, The Quarterly, Poetry, Ironwood, The Kenyon Review, and The New Yorker.
He was a close friend of the poet Linda Gregg who was once his student and to whom he was married for six years. He was also married to Michiko Nogami (a language instructor based in San Francisco, now deceased, about whom he has written many of his poems). He was also in a significant long term relationship with the Beat poet Laura Ulewicz during the fifties in San Francisco.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 11, 2019
I was introduced to Jack Gilbert in high school and knew he had a Pittsburgh connection but didn't know he was from East Liberty! Anyway. I'm a big admirer of his, I don't think this is the best collection of his work though. Something about having all the Pittsburgh poems together highlights Gilbert repeating ideas and not in a way that leads to a leitmotif. Many of these follow the path of: I am in this [foreign country] where [famous ancient writer] did stuff but I'm forever attached to Pittsburgh, and the cultural references stand in for Gilbert's frame of mind, the passage of time, eternity and mortality. However, standouts were "Tear it Down", "Refusing Heaven" "Measuring the Tyger" and "Steel Guitars".
January 2, 2016
Having grown up in Pittsburgh, Jack Gilbert's crisp wording and clear vision brought the steel girders and cracked concrete sidewalks of my hometown back in vivid detail.
June 5, 2014
If you have all his books and study him well, no need for this one. But for someone wanting to experience him for the first time, be warned: You'll purchase more.
August 18, 2015
an excellent little collection, leaves one wanting more
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews