Lovelace and the Dark Triad
Many critics consider Clarissa the first “psychological novel,” as it explores the main characters’ emotions, thoughts, and values. Richardson does this by overlaying their first-person
Tag: history
Henry Fielding Falls in Love… with Richardson’s Clarissa
Fielding’s contempt did more than just infuriate Richardson. It inspired him. While he never forgave the insult, Richardson learned from the criticism to transform his
The Post-Pamela/Shamela Feud
After its release in November 1740, Pamela’s huge success naturally created envy and resentment in London’s intense literary community. According to Bernard Kreissman, there followed
Pamela vs. Shamela: The Origin of the First Novelist Feud, and Still the Greatest
Pamela vs. Shamela: The Origin of the First Novelist Feud, and Still the Greatest Part 1 about Pamela here. Richardson’s epistolary novel Pamela was an
“Dear Reader”: A new blog series on the epistolary novel
I’ve been immersed in 19th century Britain for much of the American 21st Century—researching my Regency-era novels, binge-watching BBC historical dramas, and analyzing the stories
A Poignant Memorial to a Complex Past
On the second day of our Sister Trip, Jo and I found another memento of Charlottesville’s past, The Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL). The University
Harpers Ferry– A Historical Hotspot
The final stop on our sisters’ trip was Harpers Ferry, up in the eastern corner of WVa, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. It’s
June in the Shenandoah Valley!
My sister Jo and I had academic parents, and we grew up in college towns in Virginia. She now lives in Richmond, Virginia. Last year we
Roberts Chapel: A Historic Hoosier Settlement
My husband Jeff and I have spent the last few years travelling throughout Indiana, with plans to write a bestseller (just kidding) book describing the
Body Snatchers and Resurrectionists: A 19th C Necessary Evil?
I’m constantly researching medical history these days. No, I’m not heading for med school. I’m just writing a series of romantic mysteries set in the
Shakespeare and Caesar and Contradiction: “Elements so mix’d.”
Last week, I discussed how Shakespeare used the Ides of March assassination of Julius Caesar to explore human complexity—moving through skepticism and beyond cynicism to
Beware the Ides of March! No, really!
In recognition of the Ides of March, March 15, the death date of Julius Caesar, I’m doing a short series about that fateful day, as
Murder in My Front Yard
Like so many perfectly nice law-abiding people, I listen to a lot of true crime podcasts. I’ve learned about a newish tool in the toolkit