Jane Austen’s romantic life has long been an object of speculation, and “now a literary historian claims that her true love was a clergyman named Dr Samuel Blackall, who first caught Austen’s attention in 1798 when he was a guest of their mutual friends, the Lefroys.”
Tag: 05.25.09
Breaking The Taboo Against Violent Images In Kids’ Books
“There have been many calls to protect the young from violent images, but it’s not often the opposite case is argued, that there aren’t enough aggressive pictures in children’s books. But award-winning children’s author Ted Dewan is conscientiously putting scenes of mayhem and destruction into his latest book, not drawn by an adult but by the children themselves.” They’re the kind of “scenes of slaughter that many boys like to draw.”
The Reason The Art In Summer Hours Looks Real: It Is
“Summer Hours,” a French film starring Juliette Binoche, “tells the story of a family-owned art collection that must be sold off after the elderly matriarch passes away. In a rare close collaboration between a filmmaker and an art institution, director Olivier Assayas and his crew partnered with the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and several private collectors to locate works ranging from 19th century Barbizon school paintings to rare 20th century furniture.”
Wales’ Best-Book Shortlist: No Men Or Novels Make Cut
“Novels, and men, have fared badly in Wales this year, at least according to the judges for the country’s top book award, who have selected a woman-only, novel-free shortlist for this year’s prize.”
Ruth Padel Resigns As Oxford Professor Of Poetry
“The first woman to become the Oxford Professor of Poetry has resigned following questions over her role in an alleged smear campaign against a rival. But Ruth Padel said she had not engaged in smear tactics and had done ‘nothing intentional’ to lead fellow contender Derek Walcott to pull out of the vote.”
Grammar Is Good – But Why Does It Have To Be Moralistic?
Writers who teach grammar to professionals and bureaucrats sitting on a panel discussion about grammar at the Sydney Writers Festival argued old-school grammar adopted a moralistic approach, under which a split infinitive became a moral failing.