Classics Revisited

by Kenneth Rexroth

An introduction to the world's great literature is presented in sixty critical essays, each of which discusses the theme, summarizes the plot and explores the work's implications.

Genres: Essays, Books About Books, Criticism, Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, Classics, Literature

290 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Kenneth Rexroth was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist.

He is regarded as a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, and paved the groundwork for the movement. Although he did not consider himself to be a Beat poet, and disliked the association, he was dubbed the "Father of the Beats" by Time magazine.

Largely self-educated, Rexroth learned several languages and translated poems from Chinese, French, Spanish, and Japanese. He was among the first poets in the United States to explore traditional Japanese poetic themes and forms.

Rexroth died in Santa Barbara, California, on June 6, 1982. He had spent his final years translating Japanese and Chinese women poets, as well as promoting the work of female poets in America and overseas.

Reviews

[David Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. I feel this book is so important that I don’t know where to begin. I have always admired Rexroth’s poetry and I bought this many years ago, thinking that I respected his taste so much that I would appreciate his essays. However it is beyond that. So much so that I have made a list of the 60 or so texts, studied in this book, with a view to reading them all.
He makes them that important. And, interestingly, behind the syncopated beats of these distinctly different essays, the hint of a life lived wild and wisely is revealed.
I genuinely feel that this work is a must, as a guideline, for anyone who wants to have had a life well read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenneth Rexroth was part of the "Beat" scene, knowing Ginsburg, Ferlinghetti, etc. However, his main role was as a critic. Fluent in several languages, he often did translations. In this slim book, CLASSICS REVISITED, he offers incredible insights into the world classic from both the Western and Eastern canons. Each essay is only a few pages long, but each is packed with allusions that had me in awe. I used it in my World Lit AP course, and it humbled even the brightest students--who complained bitterly about how hard it was, and then often took it to collge with them! It's been an honor to spend time with such a mind.

[Jay Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

More wisdom, intelligence, insight and clear writing than you'll find in most whole universities or literary journals.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for workplace longueurs. Untaxing brevity is important, given the madhouse florescent lights under which we Gogol-esque clerkish types are expected to cerebrate.

[João Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pensei aprender mais com este "Revisitar os Clássicos". Só consegui raspar a superfície da maioria das exegeses aqui apresentadas o que me deixou um pouco desalentado.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

[Erin Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thinking Day Finland 2025

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not anywhere finished with this...I wish I owned a copy. I've already renewed from Central--twice, I think.

[Alan Gerstle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever wonder why the F___ literature is important, read this and its sequel.