A Momentary Taste of Being

For a month of poetry: Wilfrid Owens's "Six O'Clock in Prince's Street"

A Widow's Story reviewed. It's odd to reflect on another's grief and how they choose to relate it and how they choose to cope with it.  Whether or not she was engaged within a year--I don't know that we can say what that says about her experience.  Every person's experience is different and I'm just deeply grateful that such a talented person (or any person, for that matter) could find her way out of the purgatory of grief.

Joyce Carol Oates on Widowhood

Foreign Bodies reviewed

On The Road to Wigan Pier

The Plight of Minerva--touching lightly on Ms. O'Connor's masterpiece (one of many) "Good Country People."

O"Brien, Wolff talk about Vietnam

The Silent Cry reviewed

Abstract only for non-subscribers, but for New Yorker Subscribers the story is online.

Joyce Carol Oates on Emily Dickinson Raymond Chandler chats with Ian Fleming

Joyce Carol Oates on Sourland

Cynthia Ozick examines Anthony Trollope

More about Tea--more than you'll ever need, but, perhaps, not more than you'll ever want

Okakura's Book of Tea What is most notable about Okakura's book and the like is the way it raises the quotidian to the spiritual.  The approaches he advises infuse ordinary actions with extraordinary presence and creates a spiritual place in the middle of the ordinary waste of life.  Indeed, "a momentary taste of being. . . "

Orwell Watch # 2: Murder in Yeovil

Chesterton Biography via Books Inq.

Superficial Reading: Cynthia Ozick . . . found by Frank at Books Inq.  A personal thank you for this delightful lagniappe.  Books Inq.  and Frank's columns really are required reading--but then, from what I've seen, the majority of those who pass through here already know that.

I'll start you with "Wildcat," but you will want to go to the home page and scroll through.

Joyce Carol Oates the perfect foil for Flannery

Mr. Myers comments broadly here. And reviews here.