Grant Street, Revisited

Synopsis

Grand Street, Revisited, a hybrid of prose, poetry, and collaboration across disciplines, will delight anyone who loves art. In this tiny volume Paul Rabinowitz takes us to the heart of inspiration, where sparks of attention, intended and unintended, launch an enfolding journey. Rabinowitz invites his readers to tangle with profound matters, such as what is and is not fiction and why it might, or might not, matter. As we ponder the role of history and memory in Grand Street, Revisited, Rabinowitz’s narrative empowers us to recall our own cherished trajectories. A heartfelt book that’s a joy to read. 

This collection is written in poetry and prose and has served as the basis of a collaboration with visual artist, Anna Hershinow, who has created eight large scale abstract paintings inspired by each written piece. This collaboration underscores the idea that the truth of art can transcend its medium, creating fruitful and valuable conversations among its pieces which can further elucidate central truths.

To learn more about Anna and to view the prints, click here.

The muse in Grand Street, Revisited appears in lines between fiction and reality, infuses itself into a subway ride, oppressive summer heat, a solitary cottage with an open gate, lateness, timeliness, inspiration from the past and future colliding, no, in fact, gently dancing in the present. The reader's experience of Rabinowitz's prose and poetry is enhanced by the accompanying visual pieces, an artists' response to the written work, one volley of artistic conversation that reverberates like a call and response chorus.

—Michelle Oretga, Author of Don’t Ask Why

Rabinowitz in Grand Street, Revisited sends the reader on an impressionistic journey at the intersection of poetry, prose, and memoir with cinematic flair. After a chance encounter at a restaurant, a kind of old-fashioned literary tale between a waitress and a writer unfolds. They leave a philosophical trail of crumbs about the role of teachers, students, artists, muses and the convergence of all in artistic ventures. The two main characters explore the story he wishes to write which the author presents in eight sections. This hybrid novella switches between prose and poetry. Together they form a beguiling chapter in a writer’s life and the relationships discoverable along the way.

—Margaret R. Sáraco, author of If There Is No Wind, and Even the Dogs Was Quiet

In eight juicy segments, Paul Rabinowitz’s strong, sunburnt, and elusive muse pulls us into an obsession with writing where poetry and prose dance then dive into “the deep, murky waters” of desire to ask—How do we decide what is real? And does it matter? It would be hard to “ignore this summons” for truth that Rabinowitz seeks, and reveals only the act of creating can lead us to. 

 —Marcia LeBeau, author of the forthcoming A Curious Hunger

In his collection, Grand Street, Revisited, Paul Rabinowitz, delivers beautifully, in prose and poetry, the awakening of essential truth, creativity and living a creative life. His writing, clear and concise. This offering both informs and moves the reader beyond the words. I’m going to be reading anything Paul writes. Read him!

—Ray Cicetti, author of A Forest in His Pocket, and Songs of Love & Longing

This tiny volume, a hybrid of prose, poetry, and collaboration across disciplines, will delight anyone who loves art. Paul Rabinowitz takes us to the heart of inspiration, where sparks of attention, intended and unintended, launch an enfolding journey. In “The Wish” Rabinowitz writes, I wouldn’t struggle/with the truth, inviting his readers to tangle with profound matters, such as what is and is not fiction and why it might, or might not, matter. As we ponder the role of history and memory in Grand Street, Revisited, Rabinowitz’s narrative empowers us to recall our own cherished trajectories. A heartfelt book that’s a joy to read. 

—Lynne Shapiro, Author of Gala