After Kathy Acker: A Biography

After Kathy Acker is the first authorized biography of the late Kathy Acker, exploring her life as a writer and member of artistic communities. It traces her discipline and literary strategies, and the contradictions she longed to embody, using extensive archival research and conversations with colleagues and friends.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2018
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Rich girl, street punk, lost girl, and icon ... scholar, stripper, victim, and media-whore: The late Kathy Acker's legend and writings are enshrouded in mythologies, largely crafted by Acker herself. In this groundbreaking, fully authorized biography, Kraus approaches Acker not only as a writer but also as a member of the artistic communities that shaped her. After Kathy Acker is a captivating blend of forensic analysis and intimate revelations, delving into the extreme discipline and literary strategies Acker employed to shape her work. It also explores the contradictions she yearned to embody. Through extensive archival research and ongoing conversations with mutual colleagues and friends, Kraus charts Acker's journey through some of the most significant artistic enterprises of the late 20th century.

Introduction:
Kathy Acker, a renowned American writer, left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with her bold and unconventional approach. Her life and work are intertwined with mythologies, largely created by herself. In this biography, author Susan Kraus aims to unravel the complexities of Acker's life and artistic journey, exploring her as both a writer and a member of the artistic communities from which she emerged.

Forensic Analysis:
Kraus delves into the meticulous discipline and literary strategies Acker employed to shape her work. She meticulously examines Acker's writing process, from her early experiments with punk rock and performance art to her later literary achievements. Kraus sheds light on the contradictions within Acker's persona, highlighting her desire to challenge societal norms and explore the darker aspects of human experience.

Artistic Communities:
Kraus explores Acker's movement through various artistic enterprises of the late 20th century. She traces her involvement in punk rock bands, her contributions to literary journals, and her interactions with other writers and artists. Kraus sheds light on the social and cultural contexts that influenced Acker's work and the impact she had on the artistic communities she was a part of.

Contradictions:
After Kathy Acker delves into the contradictions within Acker's persona. She examines the dichotomy between her privileged upbringing and her experiences as a marginalized woman, as well as her struggles with identity and sexuality. Kraus explores the ways in which Acker's work embodied these contradictions, creating a complex and multifaceted character that resonated with readers.

Legacy:
Kraus concludes After Kathy Acker by examining Acker's lasting legacy. She discusses the impact her work had on contemporary literature, particularly in the fields of feminist and punk literature. Kraus also highlights the influence Acker's life and experiences had on her writing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and personal expression in artistic endeavors.

In conclusion, After Kathy Acker is a comprehensive and insightful biography that offers a fresh perspective on the life and work of a literary icon. Susan Kraus's meticulous research and intimate portrayal of Acker's life and artistic journey shed light on the complexities of her persona and the enduring impact of her work. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature, feminist studies, or the exploration of the human condition.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 196 x 129 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141986654