Robin Blaser

by Stan Persky, Brian Fawcett

Literary Nonfiction. Poetry History & Criticism. Memoir. Divided into two parts, ROBIN BLASER consists of two essays by people who knew Blaser intimately, as a lifelong friend, a mentor and intellectual influence. In part one, award-winning author Stan Persky offers a cohesive guide to reading Robin Blaser's poetry and the ways in which Blaser's work was "an attempted rescue or defense of poetry." In part two, Brian Fawcett discusses how Blaser inspired and guided him in his formative years as a writer at the newly-opened Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. From the authors' recollections, we are given a glimpse into the personal and professional relationships that developed between Persky, Fawcett, Robin Blaser, Jack Spicer, and many of the other poets associated with the "San Francisco renaissance" and the New American Poetry. At once a memoir and a reader, ROBIN BLASER is also an illustrated account of the remarkable life of the poet, with dozens of previously unpublished photographs included.

Genres: Poetry

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2010

About the author

Stan Persky was a Canadian writer, media commentator and philosophy instructor.

Reviews

[Brian Teare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stan Persky's essay "Reading Robin Blaser" is an essential text for any lover of Blaser's poetry, especially his early work--partly because Persky and Blaser lived together during the composition of "The Moth Poem," and partly because Persky and Blaser remained friends for the remainder of Blaser's life, and thus Persky's readings are inflected by intimate and sustained discourse. It's a really selfless and tactful essay, wholly given over to restrained recollection, insightful analysis, and loving memorial, and the ending in particular is breathtakingly tender and heartbreaking. For readers unfamiliar with Blaser's work, I'd imagine this might be a wonderful way in, given that it is both personal and critically astute. Considering its choice archive of photos of Blaser, this lovely book would deserve a perfect score--if it weren't for Brian Fawcett's essay, "Robin and Me; The New American Poetry and Us," which lacks all the qualities that make Persky's such essential reading.

[Inverted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echoing Brian Teare here. Thoroughly enjoyed Stan Persky’s half. His notes about Blaser’s poetics were instructive (especially for someone new to it, like me) — paratactic thought (c/o Olson), dictation with a philosophical bent, among other nuggets — and it felt earnest. Brian Fawcett's half didn't even mention Blaser until six pages in. A bit self-involved.