The plays of William Shakespeare have given our language turns of phrase we all know: “full circle,” (King Lear) “break the ice,” (Taming of the … Read More ›
Category: Art
Any interest I have in World War II was likely planted by my parents’ long-held fascination with the period. I’ve always thought of them as … Read More ›
“I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect … Read More ›
Fiction can have incredible power over audiences. I recall once feeling such wretched suspense over a book that I forced myself to take a break. … Read More ›
I had no idea what to expect from Wonder Woman. I’ve never read superhero comics in sequence, and I’ve never read DC comic books at … Read More ›
“Catholicism is not a solo, but a symphony,” according to Japanese novelist Shusako Endo. His 1966 novel Silence focuses on the danger of one man’s … Read More ›
These days, upright and virtuous heroes don’t get much love. In most ensemble casts, antiheroes or even sympathetic villains overshadow the goody two-shoes. That came … Read More ›
I just read the Harry Potter books for the first time. Yes, yes, here in 2017. As a result, I feel entitled to spoil everything … Read More ›
We call magic “prestidigitation,” or “quick fingers,” because magicians must use skillful sleight of hand to pull off their tricks successfully. A pair of socks … Read More ›