Thus Spake the Corpse: An Exquisite Corpse Reader 1988-98: Vol 2, Fictions, Travels & Translations

by Andrei Codrescu (editor), Laura Rosenthal (Editor)

Andrei Codrescu's infamous anti-literary magazine Exquisite Corpse became a prime site of engaged dialogue in the stormy decade of its existence. Taking its name from Surrealism, the Corpse became the home of rebellion, passion, polemic, black humor, sedition, and all points between the front lines and back alleys of contemporary culture. In this text, Codrescu and Rosenthal resurrect the best essays and poems from Carl Rakosi, James Purdy, Joel Oppenheimer, Robert Creeley, Tom Clark and other members of America's vibrant and eclectic avant-garde.

Genres: Short Stories

417 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Andrei Codrescu is a poet, novelist, essayist, and NPR commentator. His many books include Whatever Gets You through the Night, The Postmodern Dada Guide, and The Poetry Lesson. He was Mac Curdy Distinguished Professor of English at Louisiana State University from 1984 until his retirement in 2009.

Reviews

[Brenda Conry]

I was unfamiliar with the Exquisite Corpse publication, so I didn't know what to expect. Now maybe I do. I pulled this off a library shelf when I was looking for a break from novels. The writing itself is first rate, but the topics were not my usual fare. I have read a lot of first person narrative, and biographies, but not with the hedonistic bent of many of these. I can't tell if the writers enjoyed their miserable lives, or just enjoyed writing about them. But this is why I read--so I can experience things vicariously that I would never or dream or dare myself.
I'm generalizing. Not all of it was like this. There was some poetry I enjoyed, and hearing about life in the literary set. I would say read this at your own discretion. If you are easily offended or embarrassed, maybe avoid it. Or maybe try a copy of the journal first?