The Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer (New Directions Classics) [Paperback]

Kenneth Patchen (Author), Jonathan Williams (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: New Directions Classics | Publication Date: June 1999

Can you imagine why a pornographer would be shy? Are you satisfied with the state of (a) World Society (b) your soul (c) American writing? Are you in the habit of reading books that could have been written by anybody? Do you really want the truth? Do you know how angels learn to fly? What would you feed a green deer? Do you think a profound social message can be conveyed by a book that is comic in character? When Kenneth Patchen's comic masterpiece, The Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer first appeared in 1945, these questions were asked on the dust jacket. They have never seemed more relevant. The hilarious saga of Alfred Budd of Bivalve, New Jersey-a Candide-like innocent and part-time pornographer, written with what Diane DiPrima called Patchen's "tender silliness," should inspire a new generation of readers

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The title sets the comic tone of this novel, which surprisingly was published in 1945Apretty bold for the times. This is the saga of Alfred Budd, a citizen of Bivalve, NJ, who searches for the simple truth in a world steadily becoming more complex.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Like the Wonder Books of old, every page contains some new marvel. -- Henry Miller

Product Details

• Paperback: 242 pages
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811214117
• ISBN-13: 978-0811214117
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great tale of love, both sacred and profane, October 27, 2000

By 

F. Orion Pozo "Orion Pozo" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer (New Directions Classics) (Paperback)

This book has two plots reflecting themes that run throughout much of Patchen's work: the absurdity of the "profane" civilized world and the importance of focusing on the "sacred" or natural world to bring meaning, order, and purpose to human existence. The device Patchen chose for the first theme is that of censorship of erotic content in literature. It is from this that the book derives its title. When this book was written in 1945, books were often published in the US with ellipses substituting for erotic content. The beginning of the book tells the story of a first novel of innocent love, called The Spool of Destiny, written by Albert Budd of Bivalve, New Jersey. An unscrupulous editor changes the book's name to The Spill of Desire and substitutes **** and . . . . for Albert's innocent words throughout the text in such quantity that the book must be published overseas. Albert becomes a best-selling pornographer who everyone wants to meet and make love to.

About half-way through the work Albert meets and falls in love with another innocent, Priscilla, and the story moves from the profane life of New York society to a sacred love that works miracles and heals all wrongs. This is the most moving part of the book and Patchen's best portrayal of this mystical, transformational love that inspires so many of his poems. I think many readers might give up this book in the first half and miss this gem of prose writing embedded in the second half.

If you like Patchen's poetry, you must read this book. If you haven't read Patchen before, stop whatever you are doing and either read this book or a book of his poetry. He is truly a great American author and this is his most approachable novel. This review is dedicated to Miriam, Kenneth Patchen's wife and inspiration, who died in 2001.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars But even so. . .a fine book, October 25, 1999

By 

George Schaefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer (New Directions Classics) (Paperback)

I have always liked Kenneth Patchen poetry. This novel has a wonderful title. I would almost have to read it solely on the basis of the title. It is not the greatest prose I ever read but it was a very engaging tale. I have to admit that the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking to myself I bet Bob Dylan read this book. A lot of the names and imagery was reminiscent of the lyrics of Dylan. Since Patchen came first it stands to reason that he bore an influence on Bob Dylan. It is a very enjoyable read for anyone that likes surrealic prose. Patchen was always an outstanding poet and this book more than reveals his gift for writing prose.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American classic, March 24, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Indianola, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer (Paperback)

I cannot believe this book is out of print. Kenneth Patchen is one of our great, if hugely neglected, poets and novelists. Memoirs is hillarious, surreal, sometimes lurid but always smart and riviting. For my money it is a much better book than Patchen's better known Journal of Albion Moonlight.