"If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain."
Life, p. 6 - Collected Poems (1993)
American lyric poet Emily Dickinson died #OTD in 1888. Although she wrote 1789 poems, only a few of them were published in her lifetime, all anonymously, and some perhaps without her knowledge.
I never felt so much
Since I have felt at all
The tingling smell and touch
Of dogrose and sweet briar,
Nettles against the wall,
All sours and sweets that grow
Together or apart
In hedge or marsh or ditch…
@AnnaAnthro The article says Munro never embraced the novel. I would argue that she did; her short stories were novels (or perhaps novellas). The completeness and depth of her short stories made them so compelling. The incompleteness and shallowness of so many short stories are a reason I mostly don't like that genre. Munro was the best. RIP #AliceMunro.
Alice Munro, the Canadian writer, has died at age 92. In 2013, she became the first Nobel winner cited exclusively for short fiction — an achievement that came after her retirement from her 60-year writing career. Prior to that, she had won Canada's Giller Prize twice, then disqualified herself in 2009 to make way for younger writers. Ms. Munro “brings as much depth, wisdom and precision to every story as most novelists bring to a lifetime of novels,” the jury of the Man Booker International Prize declared in 2009, awarding her the prize for her overall contribution to fiction. Here's a tribute to her from the Globe & Mail. [Story may be paywalled]
British novelist, dramatist, short story writer, poet and critic Hall Caine was born #OTD in 1853.
Caine's most famous work is "The Manxman," published in 1894. Caine's other novels include "The Deemster" (1887), "The Scapegoat" (1891), "The Eternal City" (1901), and "The Christian" (1897), among many others. He also wrote several plays, including adaptations of his own novels for the stage.
'10 Things I Hate About You' is one of my favourite novels. It is more than just a movie; it's a timeless tale of love, friendship, and teenage angst. Set in a high school backdrop, this modern adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". The movie depicts how love can be complicated sometimes.
English writer of adventure fiction romances H. Rider Haggard died #OTD in 1925.
Haggard's most famous work is "King Solomon's Mines," published in 1885. Haggard's other works include "Allan Quatermain" (1887), "Jess" (1887), "Nada the Lily" (1892), "The People of the Mist" (1894), and "The Brethren" (1904), among many others.
The Scottish Novel in 1824
1 July, University of Edinburgh – free
This one-day in-person symposium marks the bicentenary of 1824, an ‘annus mirabilis’ in the history of Scottish fiction that saw the publication of two experimental masterpieces: James Hogg’s The Private Memoirs & Confessions of a Justified Sinner, & Walter Scott’s Redgauntlet.
Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs Dalloway is published by the Hogarth Press in Bloomsbury, London.
The working title of Mrs Dalloway was The Hours. The novel originated from 2 short stories, "Mrs Dalloway in Bond Street" & the unfinished "The Prime Minister". In autumn 1922, Woolf began to think of the "Mrs. Dalloway" short story as the first chapter of her new novel, and she completed the manuscript in late autumn 1924.
French illustrator, etcher, lithographer, caricaturist, and novelist Albert Robida was born #OTD in 1848.
One of Robida's most significant contributions to literature and art was his pioneering work in the genre of science fiction. He was a visionary artist who imagined futuristic worlds filled with advanced technology, air travel, space exploration, and other innovations that were ahead of his time.
Brazilian novelist & journalist Lima Barreto was born #OTD in 1881.
His literary career began in the early 20th century, and he is best known for novels such as "Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma" - a bitter satire of the first years of the República Velha in Brazil, was published in 1911. Despite facing difficulties & setbacks during his lifetime (alcoholism and mental health issues), he continued to write until his death.
"Não se sabia onde nascera, mas não fora decerto em São Paulo, nem no Rio Grande do Sul, nem no Pará. Errava quem quisesse encontrar nele algum regionalismo; Quaresma era antes de tudo brasileiro."
"We didn't know where he was born, but it certainly wasn't in São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul or Pará. Anyone who wanted to find any regionalism in him was wrong; Quaresma was first and foremost Brazilian."
French poet, dramatist, and novelist Jean Aicard died #OTD in 1921.
He was associated with the Parnassian movement, which emphasized formalism, craftsmanship, and the use of classical mythology and historical themes in poetry. He was also a prolific playwright and novelist. One of Aicard's most famous works is the novel "Le Roi de Camargue" (The King of Camargue), was published in 1872.
"Cigales, mes sœurs,
Qu'importe à nos cœurs
La richesse des granges pleines?
Pourvu que nos voix
Sonnent par les bois
Quand midi flambe sur les plaines?
...
Par les froids hivers
Nous n'allons pas vers
Ceux qui n'ont pas la voix ou l'aile;
Dès qu'a fui l'été,
Nous avons été...
Mais notre gloire est immortelle."
Chanson des cigales
~Jean François Victor Aicard (4 February 1848 – 13 May 1921)
#CfP for the #roudtable "The Seen and Unseen in Asian / Asian American #Literature and Studies", which will take place at the #SAMLA 96 (South Atlantic Modern Language Association) #conference in Jacksonville, Fl, on November 15-17, 2024.
English writer of children's stories Juliana Horatia Ewing died #OTD in 1885.
Ewing's writing career began in the late 1860s, and she quickly gained recognition for her charming and insightful stories that often featured children and their adventures. Some of Ewing's most popular works include "Mrs. Overtheway's Remembrances" (1869), "Six to Sixteen: A Story for Girls" (1875), and "Jackanapes" (1884).
‘Transgressing into poetry’: Nationality, Gender & Sexuality in SONNETS FROM SCOTLAND by Edwin Morgan & THE PRICE OF STONE by Richard Murphy
by Prof Tara Stubbs
Both #Scottish poet Edwin Morgan & (Anglo-) #Irish poet Richard Murphy transgressed poetic norms: contradicting ‘nationalist’ poets of their respective traditions, making playful use of language, & treating #gender & #sexuality in daring ways
#writing mastodon, could you recommend any good resources on organizing a #shortStory#contest, especially in context of optimal text length / jury size / time?
American educator Catharine Beecher died #OTD in 1878.
One of Beecher's most influential works was "A Treatise on Domestic Economy" (1841), which became a widely used textbook on household management and domestic skills. In this book, Beecher argued that women's education should include practical instruction in areas such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare, in addition to more traditional academic subjects.
English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright John Dryden died #OTD in 1700.
Dryden was one of the most influential literary figures of his time and is often referred to as the "Father of English Criticism." As a poet, Dryden's works ranged from satires and political verse to heroic couplets and translations. He was also a prolific playwright, producing numerous comedies, tragedies, and heroic dramas.