Reading Journal

Notes, observations, both complete and errant thoughts on what I’ve read.

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

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

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

Discovering Robert Southwell’s Metaphysical Poetry

A few reflections on the discovery of 16th-century poet Robert Southwell, apparently an exemplar of English Metaphysical Poetry.

2023-04-22
Sub Specie 16-17th Century Aeternitates On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Jane Eyre: Post-Colonial Christian Zealotry?

Reading "Jane Eyre" for the second time revealed a quite different— quite Christian and not postcolonial—one from what inhabited my memory (and imagination).

2022-12-26
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Pleasures in Reading: Edgar Lee Master’s “Spoon River Anthology”

From the "Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters, excerpts and commentary on the experience of its reading

2022-11-10
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Tyrannical Imagination: Henry James’ “An International Episode”

A passage from Henry James’ novel "An International Episode" displays the tyranny of the imagination

2022-10-29
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Reading Ulysses’ “Oxen of the Sun” (to oneself, aloud, and just in general)

On the experience, specifically pain, of reading as instanced with reference to the modernist masterpiece "Ulysses" by Irish writer James Joyce.

2022-05-23
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Fragrant Excerpt from Joyce’s “Ulysses”: 5, Lotus Eaters

One of several forthcoming asides on the book "Ulysses" by James Joyce. Lead us not into temptation.

2022-02-27
On Literature, Books Reading Journal