![]() ![]() To his discomfort, he detected from the plate the faint sound of the most beautiful music. When it was brought to him, whole and beautifully prepared and presented, he took a moment to study it before consuming it. This would be the worst thing he could imagine-worlds devoid of human beings, even if these worlds were populated by other intelligent and enterprising life forms.Īfter the taping, the humanist/scholar, whose name was Charles Thaxter Ormand, the acronym of which, in the ever-evolving and vibrant field of text messaging, would be check this out, retired for lunch to one of the city’s many small, fine restaurants. The humanist/scholar became quite emotional in conceiving of the world devoid of human beings, which was a possibility brought on by one disaster or another, due, it must be said, to our own actions. The ability to appreciate the symphony seemed to him quite as important as the actual composition of it. The humanist, who was also a noted scholar, argued that nothing could be discovered that could write a symphony, as so many of our brilliant composers had done, or be capable of appreciating the symphony. There was consensus that discovering intelligent life forms on other planets was probable and even essential to the human endeavor, but much of the conversation concerned whether any life form discovered would hold a candle to human intelligence and creativity. His remarks, though no one disagreed with them, became so heated that the producers later, in light of what had happened, decided to edit him out of the program. Virtual attendees are encouraged to register as well to receive a reminder and an emailed link to the livestream.A noted humanist was invited to take part in a discussion about the dangers and opportunities that would arise if intelligent life forms on other planets were discovered. Pre-registration, completing a self-screening, and wearing a mask at all times, are required for in-person attendees. Among her many honors are the Rea Award for the Short Story and the Strauss Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. ![]() Previously, Williams published four novels, including “The Quick and the Dead,” a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize, and five collections of stories, as well as “Ill Nature, ” a book of essays that was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She has a gift of creating these dreamlike worlds that feel hallucinogenic and yet recognizable.” “There are the signature elements - a despoiled environment, hints of the supernatural and this off-kilter, but poetic dialogue. ![]() “‘Harrow’ is, in some ways, a continuation of her previous work,” Minor said. The New York Times describes the book as Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” meets “White Lotus,” while the New Yorker said, “Williams’s vision of an annihilated earth seems to have flown from the brain of Francisco Goya. “Harrow” follows Khristen, a teenager adrift in an ecological hellscape. She’s a little bit like a rock star in that way.” “Whenever she speaks, you can feel a hush come over the audience, a sort of reverence. “She’s got this wry sense of humor and always wears dark sunglasses,” Minor said. Minor said Williams inspires a deep devotion among fans. Williams has served as visiting Hurst professor at Washington University. “There is a lot to celebrate - this new novel, her papers here at WashU and her long history as an instructor at this university,” said Joel Minor, curator of the Modern Literature Collection at University Libraries. University Libraries also is hosting the exhibit “ Honored Guest,” featuring hand-typed manuscripts, tear sheets, correspondences and other materials from the Joy Williams Papers, which the Modern Literature Collection acquired in 2017. Afterward, as part of the Assembly Series event, David Schuman, director of the Master’s in Fine Arts program in Arts & Sciences and a former student of Williams, will interview Williams about her long career, which has included stints as a visiting professor at the university and friendships with now-deceased literary luminaries William Gass and William Gaddis, both of whose papers reside in University Libraries’ Modern Literature Collection. Louis for a special in-person reading from her new novel, “Harrow,” her first in 21 years, at 4 p.m. Acclaimed author Joy Williams returns to Washington University in St. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |