Arts – Jacke Wilson

August 9, 2022

The History of Literature #430 – In Shakespeare’s Shadow (with Michael Blanding)

It’s a paradox that has bothered Shakespeare’s fans for centuries: the man was as insightful into human beings as anyone whoever lived, and yet his own life is barely documented. This combination of literary genius plus biographical uncertainty has spun off a number of mysteries – including the question of how exactly Shakespeare came to Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature

Arts, History, Literature, Michael Blanding, mystery, Shakespeare

August 6, 2022

The History of Literature #427 – Bashō’s Best – Haiku and the Essence of Life

In our last episode, Jacke looked at the life of celebrated Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694), the widely acknowledged master of haiku. In this episode, Jacke looks deeper into the nature of Bashō’s best works, organizing them into some loose categories and offering some thoughts on haiku in Bashō’s world and ours. Additional listening suggestions: Continue reading

Arts, Authors

Arts, Haiku, Literature, Matsuo Bashō, the Essence of Life

March 13, 2022

The History of Literature #353 – Oscar Wilde in Prison (with Scott Carter)

Even the best biographical depictions of Oscar Wilde often skip over the years he spent in prison, perhaps because the episode is so sad and painful. But in doing so, they miss the profundity of his life and writings. In this episode, Scott Carter, author of the new play Wilde Man, joins Jacke to talk about Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, Fiction, history of literature

Arts, Literature, Oscar Wilde, prison, Scott Carter

August 16, 2021

The History of Literature #338 – Finding Yourself in Hollywood (with Meg Tilly)

Jacke talks to actress and novelist Meg Tilly about her unusual childhood, her life as a ballet dancer and Hollywood star, and her current life writing thrillers in the peaceful Pacific Northwest. THE RUNAWAY HEIRESS is the pulse-pounding story of a brave woman who finds herself falling for a big-shot film director while trying to stay Continue reading

Authors, books, history of literature, Podcast

Arts, hollywood, meg tilly, movies, romance novels, the runaway heiress, Writing

August 14, 2021

The History of Literature #336 – Painting the Paintings in Literature (with Charlie Stein)

German artist Charlie Stein joins Jacke for a discussion of art in literature, including her series 100 Paintings Imagined by Authors, in which she and her partner Andy Best use textual clues and historical context to reimagine artworks that are described in great works of literature. You can see examples of their work at charliestein.com/100-paintings-imagined/ In Continue reading

Arts, Authors, history of literature, Podcast

Arts, Charlie Stein, German art, Literature, Poetry

August 12, 2021

The History of Literature #334 – Katherine Mansfield

Born into a well-to-do family in New Zealand, Katherine Mansfield began writing fiction at the age of 10. But it was in England and continental Europe that her writing took flight, as she drew upon Chekhov and the new spirit of Modernism to advance (and perfect) the short story form before dying a tragically early Continue reading

Arts, Authors, books, history of literature

Arts, Fiction, Katherine Mansfield, modernism, the garden party, Virginia Woolf

August 11, 2021

The History of Literature #333 – Tristram Shandy

It’s the OG of experimental literature! (In English, anyway…) In this episode, Jacke takes a look at the wild and woolly Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne. And in spite of Dr. Johnson’s famous claim that “nothing odd will do long – Tristram Shandy did not last!” we’re still talking about this classic eighteenth-century novel. Who Continue reading

books, history of literature, Podcast, Writing

Arts, Fiction, Lawrence Sterne, Literature, Shakespeare

December 31, 2015

New Year’s Thank You: The Top Podcast Episodes of the Year

Dear Readers and Listeners: It’s time for another humble thank you from your old friend Jacke. This year was another good one in Jackeland. No new books (alas), but a newly launched podcast, plenty of blogging inspiration – and most importantly, the community of readers and listeners who make everything worthwhile. I owe you more Continue reading

Arts, Authors, history of literature, Podcast, Writing

Arts, History, Literature, new year, top episodes of 2015

December 16, 2015

Little Black Dress? Yes. Little Black Penguin Classics? Also Yes!

Some things are so classy they just never go out of style. Like little black dresses, and little black classics from Penguin Books. Here’s another gift idea for this holiday season (along with Edward Gorey). Eighty Penguin Classics, presented in bite-sized form (i.e., novellas, short essays, selections of poems, or excerpted passages from longer books). Continue reading

books

Arts, Christmas, great books, holiday gift ideas, penguin books, presents, Publishing

November 11, 2015

Exciting Discovery Revealed Tomorrow!

WOW! I don’t want to overpromise until I hear more details, but it sounds like tomorrow will be a Very Big Day for The History of Literature Podcast. Here’s a hint: Come back tomorrow for the Restless Mind Show when all will be revealed. Or just subscribe to the History of Literature Podcast (iTunes | Android | RSS Continue reading

Uncategorized

Arts, Literature, lost recording, Podcast, Poetry, Walt Whitman