Spit in the Ocean #7 : All about Ken Kesey

by Various (Author); McClanahan, Ed (Editor); Van Sant, Gus (Introduction by)

• ISBN13: 9780142003633
• ISBN10: 0142003638
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-01
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Summary

Between 1974 and 1981 Ken Kesey self-published six issues of a literary magazine called Spit in the Ocean. After the revolutionary novelist's death in the fall of 2001, one of his closest friends, acclaimed writer Ed McClanahan, decided to carry out Kesey's vision and put together a final issue of Spitas a tribute to Kesey's genius and imperturbable spirit. Featuring contributions from cultural luminaries-including Robert Stone, Paul Krassner, Wendell Berry, Bill Walton, and Grateful Dead lyricists Robert Hunter and John Perry Barlow-as well as "regular folk," and several pieces by Kesey himself, Spit in the Ocean #7is a loving and fitting homage to the gigantic and unique spirit of the merriest of the Merry Pranksters.

Author Biography

Ed McClanahan is an author and professor of writing whose best-known books include Famous People I Have Known and the novels The Natural Man and Congress of Wonders.

Table of Contents

Haiku for Kesey	p. xv
Shazam! (Foreword)	p. xvii
R.I.P., Spit in the Ocean, 1973-2003 (Introduction)	p. xxi
All That Hoo-Ha	p. 3
A Letter to Jim Wolpman	p. 10
Kesey's Last Prank	p. 13
It's the Kids	p. 18
Majic Bus Meets Further II	p. 22
The Way It Is	p. 32
"Here Came a White Cadillac!"	p. 33
Karma (and Other Sermons)	p. 36
Definitely the Bus	p. 43
The Point Man	p. 49
The Diverticulum	p. 54
Two Poems	p. 56
A State of Grace	p. 59
Departures: Three Heavies Take Their Leave	p. 62
Kentucky River Junction: A Letter and a Poem	p. 70
No Further	p. 74
Walking with the King	p. 79
The Words on the Page	p. 83
The Tooth	p. 88
The Character: McMurphy Goes to High School ... and Gets an A	p. 92
"Wrong Way! Go Back!"	p. 98
I Am Kesey's Dog	p. 102
Stark Gets Off the Bus	p. 104
The Cuff Links	p. 107
Elegy for Ken	p. 110
Last Rites	p. 112
"In the Pudding"	p. 120
"Can I Go with You?" Anonymous Gets on a Bus	p. 125
The Prankster Moves On	p. 130
Earthshoes	p. 138
Eulogy for Ken	p. 146
Ken	p. 148
Last Go Round: A Song for Ken Kesey	p. 154
The White Tent	p. 158
A Ceremony of Consolation	p. 162
A Correspondence	p. 163
Further Goes to Sea	p. 180
The Day the Lampshades Breathed	p. 185
"Now THAT'S Ken Kesey!"	p. 196
The Boys Octet	p. 198
Working with Kesey	p. 202
Hornswoggled	p. 222
Getting Better: A Radio Interview Conducted by Sharon Wood, with John Nance and Paul Pintarich	p. 225
An Unheard Melody (Photo Essay)	p. 238
Lament for Kesey	p. 243
Brer Kesey's Words to the Wise	p. 245
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