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Discussion on: What was Your Book That Shape You

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Max Ong Zong Bao • Edited

So in what way did the book impacted you?

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Matt Curcio

Did you at least see the video?

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steelwolf180 profile image
Max Ong Zong Bao

Erm.. Not yet will watch it when I'm free.

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Max Ong Zong Bao

Alright, I watch it. It was really cool in steve playing the piano while conducting an interview and I had the vibe of being a man of action through the poetry.

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Matt Curcio

Yes, I think you are right. But he also had periods of meditation where he studied Buddhism.

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Matt Curcio • Edited

You just have to MEET Jack himself...

youtube.com/watch?v=3LLpNKo09Xk

This is from the 'Steve Allen' talk show, '59. Steve was a cool cat on the piano. This is Jack (two yrs after the release of the book) when he was still a 'good lookin' guy before he became a belligerent red-nosed drunk.

OTR regularly comes up as Top 100 American novels.

His poetry is beautiful. Mexico City Blues and Tristessa are lyrical. I would read parts aloud to myself to get the rhythms right. Probably did the same with OTR.

The book made me want to drive fast across the country...