Tragedy plus time equals comedy
Elissa Bassist came to WashU thinking she wanted to be a lawyer. Then for a writing class, she wrote her autobiography through the lens of a grilled cheese.
Everything flirts
Philosophical romances
At the heart of “Everything Flirts” by Sharon Wahl, MFAW ’97, are some of life’s trickiest questions: Why is it so hard to make the first move on a date? How do we find the person we will love? If you finally find a person to love, how do you convince them to love you back? T
Francofilaments
“Francofilaments” by Eileen G’Sell is a poetic exploration of the intersections between Francophilia, feminism, and cinema. Informed by her work as a culture critic, the collection is marked by a blend of sharp wit, inventive wordplay, and a candid voice that traverses themes of desire, sex, and loss.
Van Engen installed as Stanley Elkin Professor in the Humanities
Abram Van Engen, chair of the Department of English in Arts & Sciences, was recently installed as the Stanley Elkin Professor in the Humanities.
Bang wins University City literary award
Mary Jo Bang, a professor of English in Arts & Sciences, will receive the 2024 Tradition of Literary Excellence Award from the University City Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters.
Food for thought
Arts & Sciences’ undergraduate Spanish course “Not a Piece of Cake,” provides a taste of Latin American literature and history.
A life of words
Alumna Leslye Lyons founded the nonprofit Words Alive to help children and teens find joy in reading.
‘Best American Essays 2024’ cites Common Reader piece on Nemerov
A remembrance of poet and WashU English professor Howard Nemerov has been named to the Notable Essays list in “Best American Essays 2024.” The piece, by Nemerov’s son Alexander, was first published by The Common Reader, the journal of essays and ideas housed at WashU.
James Baldwin Review marks 10th anniversary
The James Baldwin Review, co-founded by WashU’s Justin A. Joyce and Dwight A. McBride, celebrates its 10th anniversary, as well as Baldwin’s centenary. A feature essay by WashU’s William Maxwell explores an unexpected connection between Baldwin and Susan Sontag.
Blessings
Set in Nigeria, “Blessings” is an elegant and exquisitely moving story that asks how to live freely in a country that forbids one’s truest self, and what it takes for love to flourish despite it all.
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