Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Elizabeth Bishop Interview

Just listened to this recording of Elizabeth Bishop reading her poetry and being interviewed afterwards. I have a CD of Bishop reading and when I put it on and listened to it, I was very disappointed. She's not a poet who does her work much justice aloud, unfortunately. I wasn't surprised to hear in the interview that she isn't comfortable with public reading. Not surprising, given what a private person she was.

The interview is wonderful, however. Great to hear her take on feminism and its place in poetry. Another highlight is her very quiet dismissal of Charles Olson's poetry. If ever there was an overrated figure in 20th Century poetry, 'tis he.

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