Book Club
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Ben Shattuck’s The History of Sound: Stories is a collection of twelve interconnected tales set in New England, exploring themes of memory, loss, and identity across three centuries. Utilizing a unique couplet structure, the narratives intertwine personal and historical artifacts, creating a layered exploration of how the past shapes present realities.
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Aristotle’s Poetics is a cornerstone of literary theory exploring tragedy and aesthetics, yet it reflects the ideological biases of ancient Athenian society. From a Marxist view, it reinforces class hierarchies and serves conservative functions in art, necessitating historical materialist reinterpretation to understand underlying socio-economic conditions influencing artistic production.
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James Davidson’s “Courtesans and Fishcakes” explores Athenian social life through a lens of consumption, emphasizing class relations and material production. By focusing on food, sex, and political discourse, Davidson reveals how pleasures are intertwined with labor exploitation in a slave-based economy, prompting a Marxist critique of cultural practices and underlying socio-economic frameworks.
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Samantha Harvey’s The Western Wind is a historical fiction novel set in 1491, unfolding in reverse over four days. It explores themes of memory, confession, and truth through the unreliable narration of parish priest John Reve. While praised for its lyricism and structure, some criticize its historical inaccuracies.
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Richard Ford’s “Let Me Be Frank With You” is a profound exploration of aging and human fragility through the life of Frank Bascombe. Set in post-Hurricane Sandy New Jersey, the four interconnected novellas balance dry humor and deep introspection, offering an intimate portrait of Frank as he contemplates his existence with clarity and emotional depth.
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Samantha Harvey’s novel “Orbital” explores personal journeys within a cosmic setting but struggles with execution. The lyrical prose often overshadows emotional depth, leaving characters feeling underdeveloped. While it touches on themes of isolation and connection, the uneven pacing and repetitive introspection ultimately detract from the narrative’s impact.
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Euripides’ play Orestes, written in 408 BCE, explores themes of class struggle and societal dynamics through a Marxist lens. The protagonists Orestes and Electra grapple with moral crises stemming from their aristocratic lineage. The play critiques the ruling elite’s corruption and the societal institutions that perpetuate inequality, urging viewers to question their own societal norms.
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Joseph Moldover’s novel Just Until is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and healing. Through authentic characters experiencing profound loss, Moldover captures the complexities of human emotion with simple yet evocative prose. The narrative highlights both pain and hope, emphasizing the transformative power of connection and the everyday acts of healing.
Letters from Tomis 