What do you think?
Rate this book
Allow the Light: The Lost Poems of Jack McCarthy
Jack McCarthy lived his life like an open mic. He invited everyone in, encouraged them to share their stories, gave them space for their experiences, and, most importantly, he listened. He listened when we thought no one would ever want to hear us. It didn't matter where he was, California, Boston, Seattle, Bellingham, Spain, New York; Jack could always create community. If you knew him, you know you were lucky to have crossed paths with this quick witted and often hilariously self deprecating Spoken Word master. If you knew him, then you know that when Jack wasn't listening, he was writing. When he passed away in January of 2013, he left behind an immense collection of unpublished work, work that no one has ever seen. It would be a shame to keep this work hidden away, because Jack wrote his work to be shared. To be heard. To be experienced. Now, for the first time, the world will finally be able to read some of Jack McCarthy's unpublished poetry. Allow The Light follows the narrative line of McCarthy's life, from grief and sobriety, to fatherhood, marriage, and divorce. These poems navigate the discovery of new love after loss, the struggles of the working class, and the acceptance of your family's emotional inheritance. Interspersed throughout the collection are remembrances from some of the people that knew Jack's poetry best, writers like Taylor Mali, Ryler Dustin, Robert Lashley, and more.
184 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2020
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 9, 2020
Allow the Light is full of the poems that Jack McCarthy wrote but hadn’t been published before his passing. His poems are raw and, I would say, confessional. Most of them were a few pages long and all were about his life, marriages, addiction, and more. Although his words are deep, the poems had a conversational tone. I felt like he was having a conversation with me. It was like I knew him, and at the same time, I wanted to get to know him.
For me, the most unique aspect of this book was the letters from friends, family, and other poets that are sprinkled throughout. From what they say, I can really see how great of a person he was and how his writing has affected so many. It makes me want to listen to his recordings of him reading his poetry and makes me want to invest in more of his poetry books like Drunks and Other Poems of Recovery, which was published after his death.
Although many might see this book as his second encore, to me, this book is just the beginning. Five stars!
For me, the most unique aspect of this book was the letters from friends, family, and other poets that are sprinkled throughout. From what they say, I can really see how great of a person he was and how his writing has affected so many. It makes me want to listen to his recordings of him reading his poetry and makes me want to invest in more of his poetry books like Drunks and Other Poems of Recovery, which was published after his death.
Although many might see this book as his second encore, to me, this book is just the beginning. Five stars!
December 18, 2020
Why only four stars? I'm grading on a curve. The poems in this book are great, but they are not Jack's greatest, which are amazing. But that shouldn't be surprising, as these are the poems which did not make it into any of the books published during his lifetime. If you are not familiar with Jack McCarthy, start out with Say Goodnight, Grace Notes or Drunks. If you are already a fan, then it is great to get more of him, you can never get enough Jack McCarthy.
January 11, 2021
What a joy it was to have Jack back for a few more hours
November 11, 2020
Throughout this book, the contributors mention this poem several times so I looked it up because I wanted to hear it. I listened to it twice &...just wow. I’m glad I waited until after I finished the book first. Hearing it performed made the poem so much more impactful!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. This book is about the life of poet Jack McCarthy who performed slam poetry & was a man who inspired many people. I had never read a book like this until now—the only thing similar being “On Writing” by Stephen King but they can’t even be compared. I didn’t know Jack by any means & yet, now I feel like I do.
I’ve learned a lot from this book, one of which being this: “I want to be a Jack to other people.”
The people who wrote letters & poems to him reminded me of how important writing & poetry has been to me (& how I know it is for some of you).
This book also gave me a new perspective on the difference between written & spoken poetry (or slam poetry). I took a lot of care with this book because I felt the poems needed to be read as I thought they should be—aloud & spoken as slam pieces.
I did attempt to record a reading of one of the poems but I’m not the best reader & I felt I couldn’t do it justice. I can tell that the poems in this book are slam poems through & through. It isn’t the same just seeing them in writing, they NEED to be read aloud.
I guess this whole book has me contemplating the power of words, verbal & written, as well as what Mr. McCarthy might have to say to my questions about poetry, its meaning, its importance, & so on. It’s an incredibly sweet & inspiring thing that people got together to help publish this book & these poems. I do feel honored to have read this book though I do think some people who are looking for more modern poetry may not get the same feeling or takeaway from reading “Allow the Light”. That is the only downside.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. This book is about the life of poet Jack McCarthy who performed slam poetry & was a man who inspired many people. I had never read a book like this until now—the only thing similar being “On Writing” by Stephen King but they can’t even be compared. I didn’t know Jack by any means & yet, now I feel like I do.
I’ve learned a lot from this book, one of which being this: “I want to be a Jack to other people.”
The people who wrote letters & poems to him reminded me of how important writing & poetry has been to me (& how I know it is for some of you).
This book also gave me a new perspective on the difference between written & spoken poetry (or slam poetry). I took a lot of care with this book because I felt the poems needed to be read as I thought they should be—aloud & spoken as slam pieces.
I did attempt to record a reading of one of the poems but I’m not the best reader & I felt I couldn’t do it justice. I can tell that the poems in this book are slam poems through & through. It isn’t the same just seeing them in writing, they NEED to be read aloud.
I guess this whole book has me contemplating the power of words, verbal & written, as well as what Mr. McCarthy might have to say to my questions about poetry, its meaning, its importance, & so on. It’s an incredibly sweet & inspiring thing that people got together to help publish this book & these poems. I do feel honored to have read this book though I do think some people who are looking for more modern poetry may not get the same feeling or takeaway from reading “Allow the Light”. That is the only downside.
February 5, 2021
Really excellent book. Jack McCarthy was loved in the slam community for a reason. This book is so full of love. My favorite book of 2020. Just like his amazing "Drunks and Other Poems of Recovery" was my favorite book a few years ago.
I expect I will come back to this a lot. Feel blessed to go to a book release for it too.
I expect I will come back to this a lot. Feel blessed to go to a book release for it too.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews