Jersey Breaks

Becoming an American Poet

De: Robert Pinsky

Narrado por: Robert Pinsky

In late-1940s Long Branch, a historic but run-down Jersey Shore resort town, in a neighborhood of Italian, Black, and Jewish families, Robert Pinsky began his unlikely journey to becoming a poet. Descended from a bootlegger grandfather, an athletic father, and a rebellious tomboy mother, Pinsky was an unruly but articulate high school C student, whose obsession with the rhythms and melodies of speech inspired him to write.

Pinsky traces the roots of his poetry, with its wide and fearless range, back to the voices of his neighborhood, to music and a distinctly American tradition of improvisation, with influences including Mark Twain and Ray Charles, Marianne Moore and Mel Brooks, Emily Dickinson and Sid Caesar, Dante Alighieri and the Orthodox Jewish liturgy. He reflects on how writing poetry helped him make sense of life's challenges, such as his mother's traumatic brain injury, and on his notable public presence, including an unprecedented three terms as United States poet laureate.

Candid, engaging, and wry, Jersey Breaks offers an intimate self-portrait and a unique poetic understanding of American culture.

©2022 Robert Pinsky (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

The Author 🙌🏻

Maybe I’m biased, but as the author’s niece, I truly enjoyed hearing his voice read me the story of his life as a poet. The insights into his childhood and my father’s, as well as who he admired and the time he got to spend with his grandfather were key moments that stood out. I found out a cool “6° of separation” connection between one of my favorite bands in high school (common rider) band member and my uncle when he (my uncle) pretended to be an “uncle” for, so the kid could get a better education. Hearing about my grandmother Sylvia was comforting and brought me to tears at one point.
Excellent book.
Excellent story.
Excellently written.
Excellent Author.