Pure Act
The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax
by Michael N. McGregor
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Pub Date Sep 01 2015 | Archive Date Aug 01 2015
Description
Pure Act tells the story of poet Robert Lax, whose quest to live a true life as both an artist and a spiritual seeker inspired Thomas Merton, Jack Kerouac, William Maxwell and a host of other writers, artists and ordinary people. Known in the U.S. primarily as Merton's best friend and in Europe as a daringly original avant-garde poet, Lax left behind a promising New York writing career to travel with a circus, live among immigrants in post-war Marseilles and settle on a series of remote Greek islands where he learned and recorded the simple wisdom of the local people. Born a Jew, he became a Catholic and found the authentic community he sought in Greek Orthodox fishermen and sponge divers.
In his early life, as he alternated working at the New Yorker, writing screenplays in Hollywood and editing a Paris literary journal with studying philosophy, serving the poor in Harlem and living in a sanctuary high in the French Alps, Lax pursued an approach to life he called pure act--a way of living in the moment that was both spontaneous and practiced, God-inspired and self-chosen. By devoting himself to simplicity, poverty and prayer, he expanded his capacity for peace, joy and love while producing distinctive poetry of such stark beauty critics called him "one of America's greatest experimental poets" and "one of the new 'saints' of the avant-garde."
Written by a writer who met Lax in Greece when he was a young seeker himself and visited him regularly over fifteen years, Pure Act is an intimate look at an extraordinary but little-known life. Much more than just a biography, it's a tale of adventure, an exploration of friendship, an anthology of wisdom, and a testament to the liberating power of living an uncommon life.
Advance Praise
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9780823268016 |
| PRICE | $34.95 (USD) |
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Featured Reviews
Anne M, Reviewer
Review of Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax by Michael N McGregor
This is a beautifully written and languid book about the poet Robert Lax. McGregor met him, and his reverence for the poet and the man come across very strongly. But this isn’t a hagiography, McGregor is trying to set the life of the man in the context of his life and I believe he succeeds. The book follows Lax from America through Europe and into his little house on the Greek island of Patmos. The author has been going to Patmos for many years and captures the solitary life of Lax very well. The book also includes excerpts from his letters and his journal and excerpts from the journals and letters of Thomas Merton.
Lax was living a simple life in a tiny house in the beautiful Greek islands but he was not a hermit. He participated in the village and welcomed people to his home. He liked the silence and the peace but he also liked people. His personality comes over very well. But I think the thing I liked best about this book is the way it uncovers and illustrates Lax’s attitude to poetry and how he writes. Writers and poets often enjoy reading about other writers/poets craft. McGregor is very good at letting us look over his shoulder at his fascination with Lax and share the delight.
Merton is mentioned often but the book would be interesting to people with no knowledge of Merton. If, like me, you enjoy Merton’s writing then the connection to Lax adds interest to both lives. Lax loved writing letters but towards the end of his life it became a burden, as Merton fans in particular demanded more of his time. His to do list for November 22nd 1996 had 65 people named as waiting for letters with notes of items to send or subjects to mention.
My only criticism of the book is that McGregor moves around chronologically and sometimes I had to check back to see whether the paragraph followed or if the author had doubled back. It didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book though. There is an extensive index with notes showing where to seek further information.
The book is recommended for people who enjoy the writing of Lax or Merton or people interested in the pursuit of poetry and poetic language.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
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