suffering most efficiently humanizes the unfeeling universe
January 6, 2024 5:31 AM Subscribe
Noted author, past North Carolina Poet Laureate, and beloved teacher Fred Chappell has died at the age of 87. Chappell at the Poetry Foundation. Chappell on PBS. Chappell at the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame.
Chappell was arguably the first notable U.S. literary author to engage seriously with the work and legacy of H. P. Lovecraft. His novel Dagon was well regarded on release. He wasn't solely associated with it, though, and he went on to a long, rich literary career. A curious parallel is his contemporary Joyce Carol Oates, who has had a significant literary career, and whose career has a not dissimilar facet.
Chappell was arguably the first notable U.S. literary author to engage seriously with the work and legacy of H. P. Lovecraft. His novel Dagon was well regarded on release. He wasn't solely associated with it, though, and he went on to a long, rich literary career. A curious parallel is his contemporary Joyce Carol Oates, who has had a significant literary career, and whose career has a not dissimilar facet.
I read a bunch of his short stories in the 80s and 90s; I think my favorite was “Weird Tales,” which hinges on the fact that Lovecraft and Hart Crane met a few times. It was clever and spooky and just the right amount of odd for me at the time.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:39 PM on January 6 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:39 PM on January 6 [1 favorite]
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I was fortunate enough to take one of Fred's courses at an early point in undergraduate education and he later worked with me personally on my writing. I learned so much from him--as much about reading and writing poems as being a kind, caring, and inspiring teacher. The recent alumni magazine piece linked in the UNCG announcement is well worth a read if you don't know his work, as is his poem "Narcissus and Echo".
posted by activitystory at 7:11 PM on January 6 [4 favorites]
I was fortunate enough to take one of Fred's courses at an early point in undergraduate education and he later worked with me personally on my writing. I learned so much from him--as much about reading and writing poems as being a kind, caring, and inspiring teacher. The recent alumni magazine piece linked in the UNCG announcement is well worth a read if you don't know his work, as is his poem "Narcissus and Echo".
posted by activitystory at 7:11 PM on January 6 [4 favorites]
There ‘s a lot I could say here about how Fred was a wonderful writer and a great teacher and one of the few half-dozen solid good reasons why a few years in my very early twenties were not a complete waste. He was at the heart of a community I cared very deeply about from way, way back.
I guess for every front page obit there’s someone (or several someones) out there weirded out by how close an FPP hits to home. I guess today is my turn.
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posted by thivaia at 9:46 PM on January 6 [7 favorites]
I guess for every front page obit there’s someone (or several someones) out there weirded out by how close an FPP hits to home. I guess today is my turn.
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posted by thivaia at 9:46 PM on January 6 [7 favorites]
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posted by hydropsyche at 4:49 AM on January 7
posted by hydropsyche at 4:49 AM on January 7
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― Fred Chappell, I Am One of You Forever
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:08 AM on January 6 [4 favorites]