The New Yorker: Poetry
Kevin Young and Deborah Garrison Discuss “A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker”
Jan 29, 2025
Deborah Garrison, a respected poet and editor at Knopf, joins Kevin Young to delve into the anthology celebrating a century of poetry in The New Yorker. They explore how the anthology weaves personal connections to poetry through the decades. The conversation highlights the evolution of poetic voices and emotional expressions of love and loss, particularly in response to events like 9/11. With references to notable poets, they emphasize poetry's enduring power to articulate hope amid despair, resonating with the complexities of human experience.
35:48
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Quick takeaways
- The anthology aims to showcase the evolution of poetry over the century by thematically structuring pieces to enhance the reading experience.
- Young and Garrison emphasize the importance of acknowledging historical representation gaps while including diverse voices in poetry for broader human connection.
Deep dives
The Birth of the Anthology
The episode discusses the conception of an anthology titled 'A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker, 1925-2025', created to celebrate the magazine's 100th anniversary. Kevin Young shares his inspiration drawn from an earlier anthology, emphasizing the personal history tied to The New Yorker and his excitement to curate such a significant collection. He and his collaborator Deborah Garrison aim to structure the anthology thematically rather than chronologically, reflecting the passage of a day to enhance the reading experience. This format allows for diverse voices and styles to be juxtaposed, showcasing the evolution of poetry over the century, while also capturing particular moods and moments in time.
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