Beat Feminisms: Aesthetics, Literature, Gender, Activism

This book is the first book-length study to read women of the Beat Generation as feminist writers, focusing on Diane di Prima, Ruth Weiss, Anne Waldman, and experimental and multimedia artists. It argues that their feminism evolved over time but persisted in intertextuality, transformation, revisionism, gender, interventionist poetics, and activism, countering the ways in which women have been undermined, possessed, or silenced.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book is the first comprehensive exploration of women writers within the Beat Generation as feminist authors. It delves into the lives and works of three influential figures from the three generations of female writers associated with the Beats: Diane di Prima, Ruth Weiss, and Anne Waldman. Additionally, it sheds light on the contributions of experimental and multimedia artists, such as Laurie Anderson and Kathy Acker, who have previously been overlooked in the context of Beat feminism.

The central argument of this book is that the feminism of these writers evolved and diversified over time, yet it remained steadfastly committed to exploring intertextuality, transformation, revisionism, gender, interventionist poetics, and activism. By examining these themes, the book demonstrates how Beat feminisms challenged and resisted the various ways in which women have been undermined, possessed, or silenced throughout history.

Through a rich and nuanced analysis, the book offers a fresh perspective on the Beat Generation and its profound impact on the feminist movement. It sheds light on the ways in which these writers subverted traditional gender roles and challenged societal norms, while also exploring the complexities and challenges of their experiences as women in a male-dominated artistic community.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of literature, feminism, and cultural history. It provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the contributions of women writers within the Beat Generation and their enduring legacy in the fight for gender equality.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032160474