A Palpable Elysium

by Jonathan Williams, Guy Davenport (Introduction)

Overview

With photos and text, Jonathan Williams (poet, publisher, and raconteur) pays tribute to heroes of the spirit from Paul Strand and Buckminster Fuller to Wendell Berry and James Laughlin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781567921496
Publisher:	David R. Godine, Publisher
Publication date:	06/11/2003
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	174
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.96(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Jonathan Williams made his home in Highlands, North Carolina, where he acted as the publisher of The Jargon Society.

Guy Davenport was a writer of fiction, illustrator, teacher, scholar, translator, poet, and critic. Mr. Davenport published over 40 books, among them collections of short stories, translations from the Greek, illustrated works, a novel, and critical studies on literature, culture, and art.

Editorial Reviews

This lavish and handsomely produced book fits no discernable category. Collected from the offbeat world of Williams (photographer, poet, and Jargon Society publisher), its dozens of entries provide glimpses of people and places that touched his life. "One-shot" photographs are candid yet artful, and brief accompanying texts range from witty and astute to somewhat enigmatic. There are comments inspired by the gravesites of Erik Satie, Vincent van Gogh, Wallace Stevens, and Jelly Roll Morton. The likenesses of William Carlos Williams, Henry Miller, and Kenneth Rexroth are complemented by their own words as well as by the author's personal recollections. Obscure "originals" are also equally featured, including a Rochester, NY, artist and bookmaker called Saint Keith of Cayuga Street and North Carolina wind machine creator Vollis Simpson. Williams offers perspectives on the particular genius of each image with literary and photographic aplomb. The author's explanatory foreword and Guy Davenport's thoughtful introduction provide a helpful prelude to what follows. Those who relish the alternate side of art, culture, and humanity will enjoy becoming acquainted with this work. For large arts and humanities collections.-Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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