The reason people send hate mail, according to essayist William Giraldi, is that it cheers them up.  (“Cruel Intentions,” by William Giraldi, New Republic, June 2016, pg.64.)  To prove his case, he cites the views of William Hazlitt, a minister and essayist (1737–1820).  Haza

Literature makes a great contribution to our culture, but should it be taught in high school? That question is the genesis for a new book, Lit Up by David Denby.  (“Saved by the Bell,” by William Giraldi, New Republic, March 2016, pgs. 66-68.)  As a former high school English te

Death and dying is a process as fearful for the artist as it is for the rest of us and immortality just as meaningless. But their manner of leave-taking should tell us something about the genius that purports to lift mystery’s veil on existence, at least a little. Dylan Thomas raile

In his article, “Confessions of a Catholic Novelist,” author William Giraldi, believes one cannot be a Catholic and a good novelist simultaneously. “Catholics already have the truth, whereas novelists write novels in part because they don’t.”   (New Republic, July/August,

Last Friday, I wrote about the importance of solitude in an artist’s life.  Today, I’m following up with a similar theme based on a review of  H. J. Jackson’s,  Those Who Write for Immortality.  (”Immortal Beloved,” by William Giraldi, The New Republic, March 2015, p

Two of the least effective words in the English language are “ought” and “should” which, when employed, are more likely to annoy rather than influence a person’s behavior.  If “ought’ and “ should” had any clout, obesity would be conquered, along with alcoholism and