Modest Proposal
Neo-Scriblerus

Just stopping in to say howdy. How's graduate school going?

I'm glad you're liking that course and the writing therein. Muir's a fun read: I don't think he's the most literary of writers, but as an icon and inspiration, he's second to none in the world of environmental policy.

What are you reading of Abbey's? I have a great fondness for his work.

No I haven't read Muriel Spark but I have just been looking on the Amazon website at the reviews of Vile Bodies and, accordingly, I will also be reading it as my next novel. It sounds absolutely hilarious despite a few downbeat reviews, outnumbered 12 to 3 in the book's favour. What I like about Waugh is that, despite his lampooning of British society, there is a serious side to the comedy. We can laugh till the tears roll down our faces, and I actually do, but the closeness of comedy to tragedy is such that it is often impossible to ignore. It is possible to read many historical descriptions of Britain in the years following the First World War but few will give a more accurate picture than that painted by Waugh.

Thanks for invitation -- How's the nature writing class going, by the way?

Thanks for your invitation. I hope you enjoy Sword of Honour.

Concerning your question: Well, I don't know what it's like in San Diego, but there's not really any 'scene' here Though Madison is much bigger than Green Bay so I'm sure there's much more to do there. Just remember that it can get a hell of a lot more colder here than in California (obviously).

The painting is believed to be that of Ariosto (poet of Orlando Furioso), and is done by Titian.

That's a hefty amount of reading. I'm quite familiar with the Norton Book of Nature Writing; American Earth not so much. But I'd love to bounce ideas around. When I was in graduate school, I was heavily involved in this subject, and I still read quite a bit of it.

You are correct. I don't think anyone has posted to that thread in a while, though. Why do you ask? Do you have an interest in the subject?

Loved your thoughts on the Pilgirim's Progress thread! Welcome to Lit Net!