Patchen's Lost Plays

by Kenneth Patchen, Richard G. Morgan (Editor)

drama

Genres: Plays

93 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Kenneth Patchen was an American poet and novelist. He experimented with different forms of writing and incorporated painting, drawing, and jazz music into his works, which have been compared with those of William Blake and Walt Whitman. Patchen's biographer wrote that he "developed in his fabulous fables, love poems, and picture poems a deep yet modern mythology that conveys a sense of compassionate wonder amidst the world's violence." Along with his friend and peer Kenneth Rexroth, he was a central influence on the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat Generation.

Reviews

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Две чудесные пьесы, у которых, конечно, нет шансов вдруг возникнуть на русском, тем более на сцене. Первая, "Не смотри", - маленький шедевр абсурдизма о противостоянии власти и социуму (в виде соседей, хаха), вторая - прекрасная лирико-нуарная радио-зарисовка о жизни, гм, города.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the audio recording of "The City Wears a Slouch Hat" (with music by John Cage) and feel it holds up better in audio form than to read the actual play. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-cit...

"Don't Look Now" the other play in this collection is in Patchen's usual non-narrative form. It reminded me a lot of Julio Cortazar's "Casa Tomada" which is technically a short story, but has been staged as a play (most notably by Imago Theater in Portland, OR). I would love to see "Don't Look Now" on stage. It was a little hard to follow in written form, but nonetheless a powerful (and wonderfully quirky) statement about the importance of speaking out in times of political repression.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved the work of Kenneth Patchen all of my literate life. I recall finding this particular book almost thirty-three years ago, and the thrill of purchasing a Patchen book I was unaware even existed. I have read it several times in the ensuing years and never tire of it. It is good for the soul and spirit to visit with Patchen periodically (or more often, as the state of things requires).
"Don't Look Now" is one of Patchen's singular productions, a thing no one but he could have written. "The City Wears A Slouch Hat" is something of a summary of what Patchen is all about: beautifully odd, moving, wise, perhaps a bit heartbreaking.
Patchen was unique, both as a writer and as a human being. The world is a better place because of his art; it would be a much better place had his work been experience by a wider audience. He blessed the world with his work and his presence. More attention should have been paid.