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This 'abecedary' introduces one of the most interesting new American poets of recent years. It is Tom Disch's first collection to appear in England, where his poems have been published regularly in magazines.
Tom Disch has been best known as a leading member of the new generation of science fiction and fantasy writers. His novels and short stories are highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic. His poetry is a natural counterpart to his imaginative prose: fantasy, humour and irony are blended with a rare degree of formal skill. While he shows some affinity with the New York school of poets, Tom Disch is too individual and various a poet to be easily categorized.
Tom Disch has been best known as a leading member of the new generation of science fiction and fantasy writers. His novels and short stories are highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic. His poetry is a natural counterpart to his imaginative prose: fantasy, humour and irony are blended with a rare degree of formal skill. While he shows some affinity with the New York school of poets, Tom Disch is too individual and various a poet to be easily categorized.
- GenresPoetry
79 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Thomas M. Disch
379 books320 followersThomas Michael Disch was an American science fiction writer and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book—previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book"—in 1999. He had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, a Rhysling Award, and two Seiun Awards, among others.
His writing includes substantial periodical work, such as regular book and theater reviews for The Nation, The Weekly Standard, Harper's, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Times Literary Supplement, and Entertainment Weekly.
As a fiction writer and a poet, Disch felt typecast by his science fiction roots. "I have a class theory of literature. I come from the wrong neighborhood to sell to The New Yorker. No matter how good I am as an artist, they always can smell where I come from".
Following an extended period of depression after the death in 2005 of his life-partner, Charles Naylor, Disch stopped writing almost entirely, except for poetry and blog entries, although he did produce two novellas. Disch fatally shot himself on July 4, 2008, in his Manhatten (NYC) apartment.
Naylor and Disch are buried alongside each other at Saint Johns Episcopal Church Columbarium, Dubuque, Iowa. His last book, The Word of God, which was written shortly before Naylor died, was published a few days before Disch's death.
His writing includes substantial periodical work, such as regular book and theater reviews for The Nation, The Weekly Standard, Harper's, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Times Literary Supplement, and Entertainment Weekly.
As a fiction writer and a poet, Disch felt typecast by his science fiction roots. "I have a class theory of literature. I come from the wrong neighborhood to sell to The New Yorker. No matter how good I am as an artist, they always can smell where I come from".
Following an extended period of depression after the death in 2005 of his life-partner, Charles Naylor, Disch stopped writing almost entirely, except for poetry and blog entries, although he did produce two novellas. Disch fatally shot himself on July 4, 2008, in his Manhatten (NYC) apartment.
Naylor and Disch are buried alongside each other at Saint Johns Episcopal Church Columbarium, Dubuque, Iowa. His last book, The Word of God, which was written shortly before Naylor died, was published a few days before Disch's death.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 1, 2016
The poetry of Thomas Disch is mostly of interest as part of his larger body of work. He wrote New Wave science fiction, horror, erotica, literary criticism, plays, and books for children.
In "ABC..." (with the O hiding in the wrong place as catalogued in a poem), his sf bent comes through in "Alternate Universe II": "It is 2121 / & you are a feral cow / in South St. Paul."
His fervent atheism is mitigated in "May" (quoted here in full):
Such beauty, you say
Let us stop & admire
A moment, a day
The fields & the fire
God the great spider
Has caught you again
An interesting writer.
In "ABC..." (with the O hiding in the wrong place as catalogued in a poem), his sf bent comes through in "Alternate Universe II": "It is 2121 / & you are a feral cow / in South St. Paul."
His fervent atheism is mitigated in "May" (quoted here in full):
Such beauty, you say
Let us stop & admire
A moment, a day
The fields & the fire
God the great spider
Has caught you again
An interesting writer.
Displaying 1 of 1 review