Inciting Joy

Essays

By: Ross Gay

Narrated by: Ross Gay

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

An intimate and electrifying collection of essays from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Delights

In these gorgeously written and timely pieces, prize-winning poet and author Ross Gay considers the joy we incite when we care for each other, especially during life’s inevitable hardships. Throughout Inciting Joy, he explores how we can practice recognizing that connection, and also, crucially, how we expand it.

In “We Kin” he thinks about the garden (especially around August, when the zucchini and tomatoes come on) as a laboratory of mutual aid; in “Share Your Bucket” he explores skateboarding’s reclamation of public space; he considers the costs of masculinity in “Grief Suite”; and in “Through My Tears I Saw,” he recognizes what was healed in caring for his father as he was dying.

In an era when divisive voices take up so much air space, Inciting Joy offers a vital alternative: What might be possible if we turn our attention to what brings us together, to what we love? Full of energy, curiosity, and compassion, Inciting Joy is essential listening from one of our most brilliant writers.

©2022 Ross Gay (P)2022 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

“Stunning…Gay’s curiosity is present on every page and his precise yet playful prose sparkles…This resonant, vivid meditation shouldn’t be missed.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Ross Gay is as insightful and lyrical as an essayist as he is as a poet. His essays are as trenchant as they are moving, finding in the minutiae of life the grand themes of human existence.”—Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winner and author of War is Force that Gives us Meaning and America: The Farewell Tour

“This is instantly one of my favorite books ever. A wondering-aloud to which I will be returning often, and a brilliant manifesto making a case for joy as a thing which is as complex and rigorous as it is lovely and free. In that sneaky way Ross Gay has of lovingly disarming you before getting you to dwell in rooms of your heart you’d left vacant, Inciting Joy uses its titular emotion as a window into sorrow and rage, into gifts and loss, into the tricky business of being alive.”—Eve L. Ewing, author of Ghosts in The Schoolyard, Electric Arches, and Marvel Comic’s Ironheart series

Joy and tears

In sharing the moments of his life where their seemed no joy to be had… only sorrow, I saw much alignment with my own experiences. Thank you Ross Gay for shining light on the other side.

Real humanity

It was perfect. I will read anything he writes. Beautiful thoughts and stories. Inspiring for years to come.

Delicate

Amazing….I know the connection between grief and joy. I’m so appreciative of how you presented everything with such great care.

the best

I am speechless and grateful and will so miss listening to this amazing voice everywhere I drive—until Ross Gay releases his next book.

Outstanding

I could tell from the first chapter that I will listen to this book again and again. It is so beautifully crafted and filled with wisdom that is relatable no matter who you are. It made me pay attention to how I live my life and those in it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Beautiful

Ross has a away of breathing life into this world through his words. I can’t recommend him enough!

Opening my heart

Love Ross Gay’s words and voice awakening me to what’s around me. Mr. Gay’s work reminds me that there is joy and delight and hurt and love and all of it.

Powerful, deeply felt, joy.

Deeply honest, powerful, and insightful writing once again from Ross Gay.
I’m glad he has been narrating his own books. It’s like listening to an long time friend speaking truths I need and want to hear.

REAL joy

Ross is not talking about your surface joy...no, this is a call to incite the joy that includes ALL of us, the joy that is really is RIGHT THERE if only we don't remain so damn committed to the systems of oppression. His writing is all at once funny, heartening, delightful AND sobering.

Brilliance

This should be mandatory listening for every human that interacts with other humans. We are one another.