In which one of the 1980 Iranian hostages explains why “War and Peace” meant so much to him at the time.
Tag Archives: Jane Austen
An Iranian Hostage Recalls Tolstoy
Austen: Romance without Words
Jane Austen never directly reports a protagonist saying “yes” to a marriage proposal. For Valentine’s Day, I explore why.
Our Round of Austen-Like Visitations
Julia and I spent the last week in a series of visits such as one encounters in Jane Austen novels.
Burns on December (and Austen on Burns)
In “Thou Gloomy December,” Burns mourns a sad parting. While I enjoy Burns, I also enjoy Austen’s satiric takedown of the poet in “Sanditon.”
Austen’s Revolutionary Style
Austen may have innovated a way to blend satire with romance as a way to protect us from heartbreak.
History’s Arc Bends Towards Kafka
The late Kundera has fascinating insights into how the novel has intersected with history.
Libby Changes the Way We Read
Listening to Libby books on my cellphone has opened up a new dimension of engaging with novels.
Good Company, Rich Conversations
As we visit with old friends in Slovenia, I think of how Jane Austen’s Anne Elliot values “good company.”