Michael McGregor, a professor English and creative writing at Portland State University, will read from his new book, Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax, in a free reading on Tuesday, October 6, in the Pilot House bookstore. Faculty, staff, students, and the public are welcome.
McGregor’s book unfolds the life of Robert Lax, a poet and close friend of Thomas Merton, as well as his own spiritual awakening. A minimalist poet who embraced simplicity, humility, and the idea of life as a pure act, Robert Lax influenced the work and lives of Thomas Merton, Jack Kerouac, William Maxwell, and many other writers, artists, and ordinary people.
In his new biography, McGregor tells the story of Lax’s inspiring life—from his early career as a promising New York writer to his adventures traveling with the circus and living among immigrants in post-war Marseilles, his wide-reaching exploration of spirituality and philosophy, and his lifelong pursuit of peace, joy, and love in their purest forms.
The reading is sponsored by the Garaventa Center and the English department. For more information, contact Sarah Nuxoll, Garaventa Center, at nuxolls@up.edu or 7702.