C. K. Williams Summary

Charles Kenneth Williams was born in Newark, New Jersey. He was educated at Bucknell University and at the University of Pennsylvania, where he took the B.A. in 1959. Since 1972 he has been a contribu... Read more

In the following excerpt, Stitt concludes that Tar is Williams's “best book,” noting that the poet is at his finest when observing the concrete external world, and at his worst wh... Read more

In the following excerpt, Altieri examines the philosophical notion of subjective agency and its manifestation in the poetry of Williams and John Ashbery as an alternative to poststructural theory. ... Read more

In the following positive review of A Dream of Mind, Michaels concludes that Williams is “an important poet.” “I couldn't put it down” is a phrase not often assoc... Read more

In the following excerpt, Saunders offers a generally positive assessment of A Dream of Mind, while noting that Williams's long lines and ordinary language occasionally fall flat. Doubters w... Read more

In the following review, Dick offers a positive assessment of A Dream of Mind, noting that the collection is an important work of poetry. Using his familiar combination of long and short lines, C. ... Read more

In the following review of A Dream of Mind, Howard concludes that Williams's shorter poems mitigate the shortcomings of his longer poems in “this uneven collection.” “Th... Read more

In the following excerpt, Feld discusses distinctions between prose and poetry, and offers a favorable assessment of Williams's Selected Poems, drawing attention to the use and effect of Willia... Read more

In the following excerpt, Disch offers a positive assessment of Williams's Selected Poems. Readers with only a casual, or dutiful, interest in poetry seek out poets they can be comfortable w... Read more

In the following review, Murphy offers a positive assessment of Selected Poems, drawing attention to Williams's effective use of the long line. The “big line” of C. K. Williams... Read more

In the following review, McKendrick commends Williams's intensity and empathy in The Vigil, but finds shortcomings in his tendency to allegorize and to employ dubious shifts of perspective in t... Read more

In the following excerpt, Muske offers a positive assessment of Repair. According to Muske, “These poems demand everything of the reader, and thus they are political and social in the most prof... Read more

In the following review of Repair, Lund agrees with Williams's status as a “major poet,” but finds the volume “inconsistent.” Some poets are perfect for reading a... Read more

In the following interview, originally conducted on November 21, 1985, Williams discusses the political role of poetry, his literary influences and preferred poets, his approach to writing and aesthet... Read more

In the following excerpt, McClatchy praises Williams's collected work in Poems, 1963–1983, drawing attention to Williams's distinct style and social consciousness. To accompany... Read more

In the following review of Flesh and Blood and Poems, 1963–1983, Santos examines the development of Williams's distinct poetic voice and style from the 1960s to present. 1 After two d... Read more