Colm Tóibín on Elizabeth Bishop and Thom Gunn

[@JAWilsonwhitetidelinedesigns]

Thom Gunn was a visiting professor at UC Berkeley when I was an undergrad. I had him for a full term one spring - he was electric and very kind. This was one class I never missed.

[@carolineward5153]

I agree i could listen to Tobin all day

[@kimmccabe1422]

Support great poets and these program$. More than ever, 21st century needs great words. Best lesson in history of our world there is..poets!

[@garyjones1737]

Colm Toibin seems lovely.

[@franceshaas8255]

Didn't realize there was such depth in Bishop's poems. Will read them

[@MrMikesee]

The show is a treat. I heard Thom Gunn read at UC Berkeley in '81, invited in by Carolyn Kizer. SF was a mad place then. Female executives didn't want to come to SF because of an apparent dirth of straight boys. I was recovering from a smashed leg from a work accident and not realizing I had PTSD and was pretty out of it. Gunn's poems were just about the best thing to do, other than go down Pacific Avenue to Van Ness for chamber music on Fridays and Sundays.

[@peggymalloy2882]

Wonderful! Great stories. Bishop is precise, brilliant, edgy and funny.

[@idontsurf1]

Absolutely amazing! Thanks for all the tidbits of info and your great sense of humor!

[@TimGreig]

Extraordinary to think that she wrote two poems/prose piece a year.

[@purplewyrd4779]

Good work lads. Thanks LRB,

[@Poemsapennyeach]

Tóibín in the best !! He is so erudite....with a sense of humour. The other fellow is so dry and earnest.

[@rebeccadavis5382]

Refreshing to hear how Bishop and Gunn had no interest in over-emoting. I find it reassuring.

[@karenohanlon4183]

Haven't a clue if she is on a trip or had twilight sleep.

[@xyzllii]

Toibin makes it all so colourful and interesting. The other chap...does not. He is merely competitive...taking himself too seriously.

[@loriscunado3607]

The other man was great too

[@valpergalit]

Strongly disagree.