Reading Journal

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

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
Idle Reflections 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 Idle Reflections 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

“The Silence” by Don DeLillo: Electromagnetic Pulses and Voiceless Narration

Don DeLillo’s "The Silence," is a strange novel featuring an electromagnetic pulse and empty narration

2022-01-29
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Cynthia Ozick’s novel “Trust”: a 1400-word Summary

A summary of Cynthia Ozick’s "Trust", being the story of a peculiar, nameless narrator seeking the reasons for her lack of name and lack of a father.

2021-12-29
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

Reading well an excerpt from Cynthia Ozick’s novel “Trust”

An excerpted passage from the 1966 novel "Trust" by Cynthia Ozick, dripping with the poetry and squalor of Rimbaud.

2021-12-19
Reading Journal

Cynthia Ozick’s “Trust”: Exegesis | Tom Hanks on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Ruminations on Cynthia Ozick’s knotty, profound prose counterposed to some armchair commentary on Tom Hanks’ eminently forgettable appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live.

2021-11-07
Reading Journal Viewing Journal

Satire or Misanthropy? “Solar,” by Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan’s 2010 novel “Solar” is a misanthropic retelling of ten years in the life of erstwhile Nobel Prize recipient Michael Beard

2021-05-23
On Literature, Books Reading Journal

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Categories

Reading Journal

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

The Kremlin Ball, by Curzio Malaparte

Reading Aloud: Ben Lerner’s “The Rescue”

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

Discovering Robert Southwell’s Metaphysical Poetry

Jane Eyre: Post-Colonial Christian Zealotry?

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

Tyrannical Imagination: Henry James’ “An International Episode”

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

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

“The Silence” by Don DeLillo: Electromagnetic Pulses and Voiceless Narration

Cynthia Ozick’s novel “Trust”: a 1400-word Summary

Reading well an excerpt from Cynthia Ozick’s novel “Trust”

Cynthia Ozick’s “Trust”: Exegesis | Tom Hanks on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Satire or Misanthropy? “Solar,” by Ian McEwan