Wednesday, April 22, 2009

About Books, April 25, 2009

Frances Wilson writes about William Wordsworth's sister in "The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth: A Life." Dorothy, who never married, devoted her life to her brother. She walked the English countryside with him, entertained his friends (William Wilberforce and Coleridge, for example) and kept journals on which Wilson bases the book. Dorothy seemed to always be the third person, traveling to Europe with Coleridge and Wordsworth and on Wordsworth's honeymoon with wife Mary. The book is a joy to read especially for those of you who have visited Dove cottage.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Monday, April 13, 2009

About Books, April 18, 2009

Ian Kelly, a writer and an actor, gives us a portrait of another multifaceted man in his book, "Casanova: Actor, Lover, Priest, Spy." Kelly's research in European libraries has enabled him to provide new material. Casanova's own autobiography also enlightens this account of the world famous lover. Besides learning about Casanova the man, reading the book will give you a good idea of what it was like to live in the 18th century. Bt the way, you'll be able to see the author as Hermione's father in the next Harry Potter movie!

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

About Books, April 11, 2009

C. Arthur Ellis, in his new book, "Zora Hurston and the Strange Case of Ruby McCollum," takes us to back to the 1950's and the small town of Live Oak, Florida. A murder has been committed there, Ruby McCollum is on trial and the famous Zora Neale Hurston is sent by the Pittsburgh Courier to cover the prodeedings. This true store reveals much about black white relations.

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm

Saturday, April 4, 2009

About Books, April 4, 2009

D. J. Taylor give us the biography of 1920s partygoers in "Bright Young People: The Lost Generation of London's Jazz Age." Who were the revelers? Some names are familiar: the Mitford sisters, Evelyn Waugh, Cecil Beaton, Stephen Tennant. Some are less familiar: Elizabeth Ponsonby and Babe Plunket Greene. But all will be well known by the time you read the last page of this delicious book. A good fictional companion would be Evelyn Waugh's "Vile Bodies."

Listen to the interview at http://www.wvik.org/listings-aboutbooks.htm