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| Richard Kostelanz |
Getting the Max out of Maxims in Richard Kostelanetz’ new book
by
Michael Todd Steffen
In
her recently published biography e.e. cummings: a life, Susan Cheever
writes, “In the twenty-first century…we are all inundated with information and
given no time to wonder what it means or where it comes from.”
Against
that overwhelming grain and fact of every writer’s life in our time, Adastra
Press, recognized for its hand crafted chapbooks, edited, published and printed
by poet and critic Gary Metras, early this year has brought out a book of
aphorisms by Richard Kostelanetz, noted artist, writer and defender of the
avant-garde.
It
is a 4 x 6 paper (“80 lb. Neenah Environmental Felt text, recycled and acid
free”) cover book with a card in-leaf, entitled Mini Maxims,
“composing…aphorisms” in “a long tradition, from Ecclesiastes to Erasmus and
Pascal” (February 2014 press release).
Kostelanetz’
actual text runs 14 pages, including 41 lines, 164 words.
Blogger
James Geary notes, “Because aphorisms are short, each word counts.”
To
open a beautifully printed book on quality paper, with so much page space
surrounding the sparse text makes for a refreshing reader’s experience in
itself, well worth the $18 (postage included) for purchasing the book, provided
the buyer so appreciates the experience of reading from bound paper. (I do.)
The
writing itself demonstrates varying intentions by Kostelanetz, from pin’s-drop
contemporary observation vaporized by abstract language, as in the book’s
incipient line,
Ignorance inhibits ethical
discrimination (p. 7)
to
some rather lite, pop-psy word play:
Whoever indulges eventually bulges
(p. 13)
which,
timely as it is, tells us nothing we don’t know already, though has fun doing
so. Kostelanetz, however, is aware that he is juxtaposing weightier
pronouncements against lighter ones, as the lines on page 8 demonstrate:
Aphorisms shape spontaneous
intelligence.
Every lover knows it.
That
is traditionally a writer’s way of creating relief, a smile, a “space” where continously
lined print doesn’t include the physical spacing. But Kostelanetz streams in
the vein of the avant-garde where space in print on so much given page space
can only be unexpectedly more interesting. It’s effect is like the shift of a chameleon in foliage.
Not
to be judged, by its cover, but every page, Kostelanetz’ Mini Maxims,
admirably produced by Metras, has uniquely altered my permanent book shelf.
When there’s so much up for grabs, the small, quiet, well-made keepsakes that
draw attention to what’s in our hands do weigh, pleasantly, meaningfully.
Mini
Maxims by Richard Kostelanetz
is
available for $18 (US postage paid)
from
Adastra Press
16
Reservation Road
Easthampton,
MA 01027
contact
Gary Metras 413-527-3324
gmetras3324@charter.net
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