Ashley Vaught | Erstwhile Flâneur, Philosopher

Read, Watched by Ashley Vaught

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

Listless July/August Reading/Writing

Reflecting on these reminds me of how great "Germany Year Zero" and "The Player" really were. Also, "Yoga" and Henry James.

2023-09-09
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

Dull June 2023: Reading, Watching, No Writing

Greatest reading and watching hits of June 2023 included “Men”, “Sword of Doom”, “Heat”, “Merry Wives of Windsor”, and “The Anniversary Party”.

2023-07-03
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

“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
Idle Reflections 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

Sumptuously Reading, Watching, Viewing: May 2023

Reading 15th- and 16th-century lit and watching contemporary, 21st-century film. Greatest hits: Heat (1995), Montaigne, Shakespeare (immer wieder).

2023-06-03
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

Strata: William Smith’s Geological Maps

Not long ago I ordered "Strata: William Smith’s Geological Maps" lighting a fire of memory and reflection

2023-05-15
New Acquisitions On Literature, Books

31 Days Sub Specie 16th-17th-Century-Aeternitates

For 31 days I read from 16th- and 17th-century literature, most notably including Montaigne’s "Essais" and the metaphysical poets. Snuck in some Shakespeare.

2023-05-07
On Literature, Books Sub Specie 16-17th Century Aeternitates

April-Showered Reading, Watching

Rereading Shakespeare, Borges; then reading stories by Walter de la Mare. Re-watching two films by David Lynch—neither being “Blue Velvet” nor “Inland Empire.”

2023-05-01
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

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

Meticulous March: Reading, Watching

Nothing that meticulous about it. Finished at least one book. Mostly underwhelming days.

2023-04-02
Monthly Reading, Viewing Report

Psychology or Demonic Influence: Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” (2018)

Ari Aster’s debut feature film Hereditary (2018) plays on the devilish ambiguity articulating the affinity between the histories of demonic influence and psychological pathology.