After Ikkyu and Other Poems [Paperback]

Jim Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 1996

Jim Harrison's popular novels represent only part of his literary output—he has also been widely acclaimed for the "renegade genius" of his powerful, expressive verse, collected in several books such as The Theory and Practice of Rivers and Other Poems (Clark City Press, 1989). After Ikkyu is the first collection of Harrison's poems that are directly inspired by his many years of Zen practice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Behind the words one always feels the presence of a passionate, exuberant man who is at the same time possessed of a quick, subtle intelligence and a deeply questioning attitude toward life. He writes so winningly that one is simply content to be in the presence of a writer this vital, this large-spirited."— New York Times Book Review

"After Ikkyu typifies the attitude of making the best of an unpredictable and yearning universe, turning basic survival into koans that make the reader think and wonder about the world we live in. Harrison has the poet's gift of making the most everyday occurrences suddenly seem miraculous and fresh."—Kathleen Youmans, Small Press

About the Author

Jim Harrison is the author of numerous novels, including Legends of the Fall, Julip, and Wolf: A False Memoir. His most recent previous book of poetry is The Theory and Practice of Rivers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala; 1st edition (August 20, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570622183
• ISBN-13: 978-1570622182
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best work since Harrison's early poems, October 9, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: After Ikkyu and Other Poems (Paperback)

This is a small book, physically - less than 100 pages, poems mostly less than 10 lines, the book printed in a small format, even the printing by Shambala Press was small for the hardbound edition - less than a thousand. But this is certainly some of Harrison's best poetry in years. A few years ago, Harrison gave a reading at Michigan State University (his alma mater, but he's not that fond of the place) and mentioned to an interviewer beforehand that he considers himself an "unreconstructed Buddhist." Perhaps something of the same could be said for Ikkyu, the 15th century Zen priest and poet, who was somewhat unconventional himself. That Harrison should identify with and base these poems on Ikkyu's unconventional style seems, to this reviewer, natural. These poems are small wonders, seemingly effortless in the way that they work on the reader--tho I imagine Harrison would not say that these were effortless to write. Life, death, the moon, the stripper in some bar out west, the friends (two and four-legged), riding a horse, watching the moon... Too many years gone, and not many left. That's a recurring theme. But also another: living means learning lessons, every day. Shut up and listen. An old Zen instruction, but it comes across here as fresh as Ikkyu's work must have been 4 centuries ago. In short - a pretty damn good collection of poems, from a writer whose poetry should be appreciated more.