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In Memoriam

David Rakoff, 1964–2012

August 10, 2012 | by

We are sad to learn of the death of David Rakoff, at forty-seven, after a long battle with cancer. Rakoff’s essays and contributions to This American Life include what must be the most melancholy humor writing of our time, or else the funniest melancholy writing. Even at his most arch, Rakoff wrote with an undertone of kindness that made his fans love him. Many of his readers will feel that they have lost a friend.

 

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2 Comments

  1. Jennifer | August 12, 2012 at 8:08 am

    My weekends will forever have an emptiness. What a fantastic talent.

  2. david eberhardt | August 19, 2012 at 8:17 am

    originally sent to this american life- ira glass, host being originally from baltimore i was annoyed to hear him pitching on ypr – the npr station in baltimore who fired a beloved and more radical host – marc steiner-and continues w a less radical host- dan rodricks
    as a poet and activist- i was refreshed and inspired by this tribute show re rakoff- what a talent
    those of us who worked in such 60′s movements as peace and civil rights appreciate honesty- let alone good writing-
    yr program does npr proud- when it should not be proud- since it is a right of center, war and capitalism enabling organization
    still- i can give credit where it is due-
    david cld rock the boat- how abt you all?
    occasionally a dragonfly rises above the swamp?
    or did david rock the boat?

    dave eberhardt
    poet/activist balto md

6 Pingbacks

  1. Goodbye David Rakoff, I love you. « B l i t h e E d g e s says:
    August 10, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    [...] David Rakoff, 1964 – 2012 (theparisreview.org) [...]

  2. I Never Met David Rakoff | Travel Between The Pages says:
    August 13, 2012 at 4:02 am

    [...] David Rakoff, 1964 – 2012 (theparisreview.org) [...]

  3. life, death and…a cookbook? | living in a modern world. says:
    August 13, 2012 at 10:19 am

    [...] David Rakoff, 1964 – 2012 [...]

  4. Acclaimed Writer, Actor David Rackoff Dies at 47 « Atlanta Booklover's Blog says:
    August 15, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    [...] and remembrances (such as those at The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and The Paris Review). Even before his death, people had access to videos of Rakoff’s off-beat readings, videos [...]

  5. I really loved this quote | Blatherskite says:
    August 18, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    [...] David Rakoff, 1964 – 2012 (theparisreview.org) [...]

  6. in memoriam « defiled, again says:
    September 4, 2012 at 2:02 am

    [...] very much included). Many of his readers will feel that they have lost a friend. (Source: http://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/08/10/david-rakoff-1964%E2%80%932012/) Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. « it’s still raining, but [...]

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