Robert Fitzgerald (2) (1910–1985)

PERMIT ME VOYAGE (1934) | read 2023-02

Constitutes Part I in this edition, Agee's first book. Comments on the jacket, flyleaf, and Robert Fitzgerald's introduction suggest Agee's reputation as contrarian and the waves he made with journalism and film writing sparked this reprint, taking advantage of the reflected light of his more popular works. I knew Agee was linked to films I admired, without being able to cite them from memory, but haven't read anything. A bit of online reading indicate Agee wasn't overly popular in his lifetime; this collection was first published in 1970, when his literary reputation (enhanced especially by his posthumous Pulitzer in Literature) was widely recognised.

My initial impression (skipping the Intro so as to avoid any spoilers): pretentious or overly earnest, with glimpses of creativity similar to my impression of Yvor Winter. The "essay" (a prose poem?) styled as Dedication is an interesting idea and a case in point. There are many lines and phrases that resonate, but few complete poems that land solidly.

Agee strikes me as someone I'd benefit most from having someone guide me through his work, an admirer familiar with his writing in all these genres, and could point out interesting anecdotes and link work relevant to my interests. I could discover the same on my own, of course, but it will take me much longer a time, and likely include works I don't find compelling. Not persuaded I have the necessary motivation for that, frankly.

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To be read:

Part II: LATER POEMS (1933-1950)
Part III: JOHN CARTER (1932-1936)
Part IV: VERSE (1929-1955)… (més)