Dana Gioia is an internationally acclaimed poet whose work revitalizes the role of poetry in public life. He is recognized for his influential criticism, which delves into the essence of modern poetry and its capacity to engage a broad audience. His own writing often explores themes reflecting cultural heritage and the human experience, with a style lauded for its clarity and resonance. Gioia's contributions also extend to opera libretti and poetry translation.
Focusing on contemporary Southern California, this collection features author profiles, literary journalism, and speculative essays that explore the current writing and publishing landscape of the region. It seeks to portray a modern Los Angeles, moving beyond its historical literary figures and archetypes, from gumshoes to Beats, and capturing the essence of today's diverse narratives and voices in the Southland.
"Highly enjoyable . . . Studying with Miss Bishop offers the opportunity to encounter writing as an act of civility."― Wall Street Journal"Fascinating snapshots of remarkable encounters which, when brought together, chart a delightfully unusual path to literary success."― Booklist"Reading this memoir is like being at one of those memorable dinner parties, attended by the best and brightest, sparkling with wit and excellent conversations. You don’t want it to be over, the conversations to end! But with books, you need not worry. You can go back to the party, savor it, reread it again, and again."—Julia Alvarez, author of In the Time of the Butterflies and AfterlifeIn Studying with Miss Bishop , Dana Gioia discusses six people who helped him become a writer and better understand what it meant to dedicate one’s life to writing. Four were famous authors—Elizabeth Bishop, John Cheever, James Dickey, and Robert Fitzgerald. Two were unknown—Gioia’s Merchant Marine uncle and Ronald Perry, a forgotten poet. Each of the six essays provides a vivid portrait; taken together they tell the story of Gioia’s own journey from working-class LA to international literary success.
In 1991, Dana Gioia's provocative essay "Can Poetry Matter?" was published in the Atlantic Monthly , and received more public response than any other piece in the magazine's history. In his book, Gioia more fully addressed the Is there a place for poetry to be part of modern American mainstream culture? Ten years later, the debate is as lively and heated as ever. Graywolf is pleased to re-issue this highly acclaimed collection in a handsome new edition, which includes a new Introduction by distinguished critic and poet, Dana Gioia.
While embracing the canon, An Introduction to Poetry, Tenth Edition includes an impressive collection of contemporary poems for a culturally diverse representation of authorship and a richness in range of style. Writer's Perspectives sections give commentary on the craft of writing and revising from authors, which provide insight and a more human perspective on literature and the writing process. Writing Critically sections expand overage of composition with accessible and pragmatic suggestions on writing. Critical Approaches to Literature section provides three essays on every major school of criticism with sections on gender criticism and cultural studies. New poems have been added to the Tenth Edition, along with a new Glossary of Literary Terms and an expanded chapter on translations. Casebooks on Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes present both poets in depth. For anyone interested in poetry.
Fifty writers of faith contribute original poems in this anthology honoring Rev. Ronald F. Marshall, who dedicated his life to serving Seattle's hungry and homeless. A passionate scholar of Søren Kierkegaard, Marshall's influence is evident through his significant works, including "Kierkegaard for the Church." This collection celebrates his legacy and the profound impact of Kierkegaard's philosophy on spirituality and community engagement.
The book addresses the paradox of Catholic writers' invisibility in American culture, despite Catholicism being the largest religious group in the U.S. Gioia defines Catholic literature and explores its decline since the mid-twentieth century, urging contemporary Catholic writers to reclaim and revitalize their literary heritage. Through this examination, he highlights the importance of Catholic voices in the broader cultural landscape.
A wondrous new collection by Dana Gioia, “one of America’s premier poets and critics” (Julia Alvarez). Dana Gioia has been hailed for decades as a master of traditional lyric forms, whose expansive and accessible poems are offerings of rare poignancy and insight. In Meet Me at the Lighthouse, he invites us back to old Los Angeles, where the shabby nightclub of the title beckons us into its noirish immortality. Elsewhere, he laments the once-vibrant neighborhood where he grew up, now bulldozed, and recalls his working-class family of immigrants. Gioia describes a haunting from his mother on his birthday, Christmas Eve. Another poem remembers his uncle, a US Merchant Marine. And “The Ballad of Jesús Ortiz” tells the story of his great-grandfather, a Mexican vaquero who was shot dead at a tavern in Wyoming during a dispute over a bar tab. “I praise my ancestors, the unkillable poor,” Gioia writes. This book is dedicated to their memory. Including poems, song lyrics, translations, and concluding with an unsettling train ride to the underworld, Meet Me at the Lighthouse is a luminous exploration of nostalgia, mortality, and what makes a life worth living and remembering.