Every so often, an individual of such singular talent graces the U with his or her presence and the world stops its ceaseless spinning to bear witness-or, at least, it ought to.
These events are inspiring, audacious, ambitious and-really-universally agreed to be “freaking awesome.”
As far as the literary world (and its respective stars) and the U are concerned, these wonderful events oh-so-often come to pass as a result of the tireless efforts of the Guest Writers Series-a literary series unrivalled in the state for the variety of talent it draws and the benchmark standard of quality it sets.
Don’t believe me? Check out the stats:
Who: Robert Hass, author of four books of poems (Field Guide, for which he won the Yale Younger Poets Award; Praise, which earned him a Williams Carlos Williams Award; Human Wishes and Sun Under Wood, for which he received the 1996 National Book Critics Circle Award). Hass received a second National Book Critics Circle Award for his book of criticism, Twentieth Century Pleasures: Prose on Poetry. Other honors include two PEN/BABRA awards for translation. Hass served as the poet laureate of the United States from 1995 to 1997 and teaches at the University of California, Berkeley.
What: A reading of Hass’ work, by the author, as part of the department of English’s Guest Writers Series. The Guest Writers Series is an ongoing feature of the U’s English department and creative writing program and the Salt Lake City Arts Council. The series features nationally and internationally recognized writers reading their work for the public, free of charge, in hopes of generating interest in literature, prompting discussion of pertinent issues and fostering an overall environment of enthusiasm for the literary arts. Food and beverage options are provided.
Where: Finch Lane Gallery in the Art Barn (1325 E. 100 South)
When: Thursday at 7 p.m. Future dates and authors for the series can be found online at the English department’s Web site-hum.utah.edu/English-under the Creative Writing heading.
Why: Better question: Why not? Hass remains one of the most respected poetic voices in America. Hass continues to push for innovation and excellence in the contemporary poetic universe, and his influence in the work of younger, aspiring authors-in the U’s creative writing graduate program, as well as elsewhere-is readily apparent.
So:
1) Hass is awesome.
2) Hass is reading at the U (also, awesome).
3) The reading is free (double-awesome points awarded for fiscal responsibility).
How can you justify missing this event? That’s right-you can’t.
Robert Hass
