Wow. This artist has cut away pages of books to reveal their contents.
Nobel for Literature: Doris Lessing
The 2007 Nobel Prize for Literature goes to Doris Lessing, born to British parents in Iran (formerly Persia) in 1919, “that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire, and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny.” Nobel’s Swedish Academy writes:
The Golden Notebook (1962) was Doris Lessing’s real breakthrough. The burgeoning feminist movement saw it as a pioneering work and it belongs to the handful of books that informed the 20th-century view of the male-female relationship. It used a more complex narrative technique to reveal how political and emotion conflicts are intertwined.
Harper Collins has a reading guide to The Golden Notebook.
In Honor of the Thinklings
Hey, hey! That’s a monkey–a Japanese macaque monkey in the snow, to be exact. More monkeys can be seen here.
A Battle of Literary Proportions
Philadelphia and Baltimore are fighting over a dead man, which may have pleased the former owner of the body being that it’s Edgar Allan Poe.
Edward Pettit writes: “This is a literary grave robbing. I want to exhume his body and translate his remains to the City of Brotherly Love. … That’s because Poe is ours. He belongs to Philadelphia.”
Sarah Weinman has tolled in too, saying Poe Knows Philly.
Viking Verse
Since Lars is gone this week, I feel the need to post something Vikinesque. Here’s part of a modern poem by Christie Ward, called “Creation,” which claims to be in the style of Viking poetry. You can read the whole thing through the link.
Of men there are many, and many the singers.
One is the song that shall rise above all:
of man sing the song then! The ideal! The spirit!
Away shall pass peoples, but never the power
of song, nor the poet who sings the soul of his people.
Your Cookie Is Broken. Return It.
The fortune cookie maker Wonton Food has released less-than-upbeat messages in their cookies in response to consumers who wanted “more fortunes with actual predictions rather than cryptic sayings,” reports the NY Times. The reporter asks, “Was one writer having a bad day? (‘Perhaps you’ve been focusing too much on yourself.’) Were the cookies giving voice to worries about the economy or terrorism? (‘There may be a crisis looming, be ready for it.’)”
Here are some message suggestions: “What are you looking for, advice from a cookie?” “Don’t eat here again.” “She’s not the one for you.” “Make sure you still have your wallet.” “Reconsider.” “Refinance.” “Ask for a refund.”
Any suggestions you have?
Did She Slap Him or Not?
Here’s an example for a discussion on word usage. Philip Klein, writing for the excellent American Spectator, has an article on Mrs. Clinton with the title, “Hillary Slaps Iowa Voter.” I first heard of this article in a passing comment on the radio.
“Oh my soul!” I said. “She slapped someone at a rally?”
No, she didn’t. She argued, patronized, and told a voter he didn’t know what he was talking about. The voter said, “[She] was basically calling me stupid. That I can’t think on my own.” He also used a vulgar verb closely related to “slap” to further describe his feelings, but there was no swift-moving hand or skin contact.
So read the article and tell me what you think. Is the headline an exaggeration?
Possible Broadway Strike Coming
The League of American Theaters and Producers is talking to the stagehands’ union, but they apparently are not seeing things eye-to-eye. I can only assume they are both arguing in good faith.
In related news, Broadway gross sales were up $1.7 million overall last weekend.
Congratulations!!
Late, but heart-felt congratulations to Terry Teachout and his new bride. Maybe I should say Hilary Dyson and her new husband. Anyway, may God bless you both.
Onward, Men, To the Future!
Here’s a fun poem by Mark Jarman, printed in The New Criterion.
When we arrive, the future will adore us
As being so much better than it expected.
We went to school with thugs and contagion.
We went to school with tidal waves and felons.
And we turned out OK. We’re at the future!
. . . Read on