WOMEN OF THE BEAT GENERATION

Reacting to the smug complacence of the 1950's and influenced by postwar European existentialists and Asian mystics, the Beat Poets assaulted middle-class America with their jazz-based iconoclasm. The Beat women were just as gifted and committed as their men, much braver, but sorely neglected until late last year. That's when Brenda Knight published her history/anthology, which led to this most welcome audio companion. The authors of WOMEN OF THE BEAT GENERATION read from their own and their sisters' works with authority and authenticity. Jazz music appropriately supplements the writings. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 97]