Allen Ginsberg's Buddhist Poetics (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: mantric poetics, first took vision, whose pained head, Angkor Wat, The Change, Iron Horse (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

 

 “This is the first work that thoroughly and intelligently looks at Ginsberg's poetry in light of his Buddhism. Trigilio deftly combines modern theories of gender identity with poststructural readings of the texts and displays an acute knowledge of the varieties of Buddhist practice.”—Kurt Hemmer, Harper College

 

“Trigilio has done what is necessary to throw out once and for all the idea that Ginsberg’s engagement with Asian philosophical and religious ideas amounts to no more than an ‘easy Easternness.’ For people who want to work on Buddhism, literature, and form, this work is groundbreaking.”—John Whalen-Bridge, National University of Singapore

Product Description

Allen Ginsberg’s Buddhist Poetics revives questions of poetics, religious authenticity, and political efficacy in Ginsberg's prophetic poetry. Author Tony Trigilio examines Ginsberg's Buddhism as an imperfect but deepening influence on the major poems of his career.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press; 1st edition (June 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809327554
• ISBN-13: 978-0809327553
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,391,330 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Groundbreaking Book, December 18, 2007

By	Luna - See all my reviews

At last, a book on Allen Ginsberg that actually reads his poems closely AND discusses in depth their religious, spiritual, literary, and historical influences.

Trigilio doesn't recycle old anecdotes or ride the wave of Beat mythmaking -- like too many studies of the Beats do. He treats Ginsberg like the experimental poet that he was, and puts his work in the larger context of contemporary American poetry.

It's a challenging book, but Trigilio manages a great balance between "academic style" and "mainstream style." The writing is crisp, clear, and deeply informed by the spiritual and literary traditions that inspired Ginsberg.