On Literature, Books

Mostly commentary on fiction and contributions to the nebulous body known as “literature.”

A Debut Novel, Showing Its Signs

Maritta Wolff’s debut novel “Whistle Stop” showed promise, despite some of its shortcomings.

2026-06-16
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

The Trees: Am I Enjoying This?

Everett’s “The Trees” is a hilarious book that makes you ask the question: am I enjoying this? Should I be?

2026-04-24
New Acquisitions On Literature, Books

The Complete Sherlock Holmes

Let there be one Sherlock Holmes volume to rule them all!!!

2026-03-23
New Acquisitions On Literature, Books

Not for the Weak of Heart

Malaparte is an author blurring the lines between fact and fiction, to the benefit of a close reader.

2026-02-18
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Cinema’s Concepts? Deleuze’s The Time Image

Thinking about montage and decided to pick up “The Time Image” and …

2026-02-16
Reading Journal On Ideas, Concepts, Intuitions On Literature, Books

Euripides’ “Iphigenia in Aulis”

This play narrates the moments preceding the sacrifice of Iphigenia so that the Greek fleet can set sail for Troy.

2026-02-06
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

The Perplexity of Complete Agreement, and Yet Disquiet

With each claim I find myself in agreement, the choir to her preacher, yet I am still disappointed, put off.

2026-01-04
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Hope or Memory in the Irony of the Romantic Disillusionment: Lukác’s “Theory of the Novel”

The episodes of the romantic novel are sundered, one from the other, but “irradiated” by hope and memory.

2025-02-01
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

The Kremlin Ball, by Curzio Malaparte

“The Kremlin Ball” narrates time Malaparte spent in Moscow during the late 1920s and the intellectuals and Soviet elite he met there.

2024-10-11
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Mary Stuart. The Maid of Orleans. Two Historical Plays By Schiller

Not so recently acquired: Friedrich Schiller’s Mary Stuart and The Maid of Orleans. Two Historical Plays in One Volume!

2024-05-21
On Literature, Books New Acquisitions

The Arden Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra

On the second series edition of the Arden Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra”, both this particular 1991 printing as well as on the content more generally

2024-01-07
New Acquisitions On Literature, Books

Pride and Prejudice, the Movie Tie-In Edition

Purchased the Movie Tie-In edition of “Pride and Prejudice” to my profound moral chagrin

2023-10-22
New Acquisitions

Reading Aloud: Ben Lerner’s “The Rescue”

Reading aloud a poem published in the New York Review of Books September 21, 2023 issue.

2023-09-24
Idle Reflections On Literature, Books Reading Journal

“An Ideal Craftsman”: Psychological Horror from Walter de la Mare

“An Ideal Craftsman” follows a young boy down to the larder, happening upon a crime scene.

2023-06-17
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Piranesi: The Etchings

Detailing the purchase of a less puerile, more dignified Taschen volume collecting the etchings of Piranesi, the article and exhibit inspiring these.

2023-06-04
On Literature, Books New Acquisitions