Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Marilynne Robinson's Novels: Article by David Propson

One of my favorite fiction writers, Marilynne Robinson was featured in The Wall Street Journal today in a story by David Propson titled "Weaving Humanity Into History."

Robinson wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Gilead" and an earlier book, "Housekeeping." "Gilead" stands as one of the Top Ten novels I've ever read and I look forward to my reading of her new book "Home" (which I started last evening).

Propson writes the "one of Ms. Robinson's aims in "Gilead" and "Home" seems to be to weave humanity back into history. Her quietly lyrical novels are in fact haunted by the past, preoccupied by the possibility of redemption -- not only of their characters but of their country. "Gilead" and "Home" are -- among much else -- antidotes to the processes of historical forgetting that Ms. Robinson sees constantly at work."

If you're looking for splendid book to enjoy this October, I highly recommend "Gilead." After you've read it, I suspect you'll want to continue your time with Robinson's characters and their Iowa town in "Home" (instead of having to wait four years between publication of the novels like I did).
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Sunday, September 28, 2008

"Slug Queen" Story in The Wall Street Journal

A young reporter from Oregon, Mary Pilon, wrote a front page Wall Street Journal story which resulted in an article in her hometown newspaper:

"Our queen of gastropods oozes charm upon Wall Street Journal front page" | The Register-Guard

Take a look at the original WSJ story which include some playful video.

Such is life in Eugene in September!

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

An Amazing and Beautiful Travel Blog

Last Sunday's Oregonian featured an extraordinary blog -- Notes from the Road -- by Erik Gauger in the newspaper's travel section.

I'm enjoying reading his many blog posts and viewing his amazing photos creating with a 4 x 5 camera, his hand-painted sketches, watercolor maps, and travel notes.

I heartily recommend the site for some good reading on a beautifully illustrated blog.

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Friday, September 12, 2008

Top Choice for a Next Career: Editorial Cartoonist

I love editorial cartoons. Being an editorial cartoonist is my top choice for a "next career." With all the "stuff" from Washington over the past eight years and now, the political campaign for the Presidency (or is it for the Vice Presidency?), there are so many laughable opportunities to choose from.

Jack Ohman, working for The Oregonian, is among the best editorial cartoonists around today. His cartoons are published online daily for those of us who don't get the Portland newspaper every day. Take a look at the his cartoons over the past week or so.

Do you have a favorite editorial cartoonist? Or a favorite editorial cartoon? Let me know who or what is making you laugh when you read an editorial page.
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