Poetry, Politics and Passion: memoir, poems, personal essays

Jennie Orvino's Poetry, Politics and Passion is a genre crossover because the author herself is a crossover-poet, journalist, interviewer, writer of personal essays and memoir. Jonah Raskin, author of Natives, Newcomers, Exiles, Fugitives: Northern California Writers and their Work, says Orvino's book makes good on its title, exploring passion, politics and poetry as the three main loves of the writer's life. "What's priceless about the book are the snap-shots of the 1960s," Raskin says. "Jennie's take on the era is absolutely new and unique. It's funny and moves back-and-forth from past to present, from protest to romance to poems on the page. It's a joy to read." Well known writers and peace movement figures show up in these pages as the author's friends, mentors and lovers. But as Orvino offers up five decades of activism in the streets and on the page, we also get an intimate portrait of a woman from idealistic girlhood to grandmother, with all the complexity one might expect. The book is divided into three parts: 65 pages of memoir, 28 poems and 7 essays on topics from Robert Bly to online dating, from sacred sexuality to aging gracefully. There is also a section of photographs and ephemera which add a visual and historic dimension to an already vivid presentation. Jennie Orvino's Poetry, Politics and Passion will be informative and enjoyable for mature teenagers and up. Award-winning short story writer and college teacher Dan Coshnear has written of the book: "In these cynical times, be inspired by these fearlessly remembered, elegantly told tales of an American dreamer."