The Paris Review

S4E3 | The I is Made of Paper

Nov 22, 2023

Pulitzer Prize winner Sharon Olds discusses sex, religion, and writing poems women were not supposed to write. She reads three poems, including 'Sisters of Sexual Treasure', and talks about breaking taboos, intense pleasure, childhood radio, and defiance.

21:23

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Episode guests

Sharon Olds

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Sharon Olds' willingness to discuss taboo topics in her poetry showcases her bravery and her desire to express complex emotions.

The distinction between Sharon Olds' life and her poems provides her with the freedom to creatively express herself and explore her pagan perspective.

Deep dives

Summing Up Writer James Baldwin in Paris

This podcast episode explores an interview with writer James Baldwin in Paris. It highlights his role as a spokesperson for black individuals and emphasizes his unconventional approach to writing. The interview did not go as planned, showcasing the unpredictability of the encounter. The episode also mentions the streaming service Mubi as a sponsor.

Introduction

3min

Exploring Taboos: Sharon Olds Reads Poems from 'Satan Says'

5min

Intense Pleasure, Childhood Radio, and Fear of Punishment

4min

Defiance and Reminiscing

8min

Sharon Olds' Poetry and Acknowledgments

3min

The Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Sharon Olds discusses sex, religion, and writing poems that "women were definitely not supposed to write,” in an excerpt from her Art of Poetry interview with Jessica Laser. Olds also reads three of her poems: “Sisters of Sexual Treasure” (issue no. 74, Fall–Winter 1978), “True Love,” and “The Easel.”

This episode was produced and sound-designed by John DeLore. The audio recording of “Sisters of Sexual Treasure” is courtesy of the Woodberry Poetry Room, Harvard University. Our theme song this season is “Shadow,” composed and performed by Ernst Reijseger.

Additional Links:

theparisreview.org/interviews/8000/the-art-of-poetry-no-114-sharon-olds

theparisreview.org/poetry/3462/the-sisters-of-sexual-treasure-sharon-olds

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