Author Archives: Jim

CONVERSATIONS WITH A BRILLIANT AUTHOR

Richard Powers is such a brilliant writer he can get you arguing with his characters!  In the novel Generosity, he describes the weltanschaung of the parents of Tonia Schiff: “Both Vice-consul Schiff and his beloved doctor wife felt something hopelessly … Continue reading

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A NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH A NEW READING AT CORNELIA STREET

Wow!  The dawn of a new decade brings with it a sudden realization!  It’s been almost a year since I gave a reading at the Cornelia Street Cafe! That drought will end on January 25th and I invite everyone within … Continue reading

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FATE, LUCK OR FORTITUDE: A BRILLIANT CAREER

Shortly after the Second World War a young European arrives in New York City.  His English is pretty imperfect, but he needs a job.  After employment agencies turn him down, a friend helps him compose two ads for the New … Continue reading

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NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP; ROTH TAKES ON DEATH

I only just now read Everyman by Philip Roth. I finished it about half an hour ago, laid it down, picked it up again and began reading once more from the beginning – the graveside scene – finally sighing and … Continue reading

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TRAINING THE EYE BY NARROWING THE VISION

I came across a marvelous burst of wisdom today, penned by the photographer Dorothea Lange. These words were used as the touchstone for an impressive poem called “Aperture” by David Moolten: The camera . . . teaches people how to … Continue reading

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AN OLD POEM BRINGS A WELCOME SURPRISE

I came across an old poem of mine recently while trying to decide what books to give up and what to keep, and rather liked it, so I thought I would share it with you.  It’s rare enough to be … Continue reading

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INSPIRATION AND ITS DOMINO EFFECTS

A character in Roberto Bolaño’s book, 2666 (Book Three, “The Part About Fate”), says the following: “Reading is like thinking, like praying, like talking to a friend, like expressing your ideas, like listening to other people’s ideas, like listening to … Continue reading

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A VALENTINE’S DAY READING . . . ALMOST

Come one!  Come all!  I hereby invite anyone within the sound of my voice or the range of my words to hear me read pieces selected just for Valentine’s Day!  Well, the reading won’t take place exactly on Valentine’s day … Continue reading

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JHUMPA LAHIRI’S MAGICAL LANGUAGE

What is it with Jhumpa Lahiri? Her language does not bristle with style, never calls attention to itself.  She writes with a quiet clarity, her language supple yet unaffected, her tales mostly revolving around the mundane, ordinary facts of daily … Continue reading

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THE COMFORT OF OTHER VOICES, EVEN FROM THE MOON

Well, I haven’t blogged in months! My silence was due to a touch of melancholy, no doubt, and what drove that melancholy was most certainly a decision to reverse itself by the small press which had contracted to bring out … Continue reading

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