Episodi

  • Reviews - Two Biographies of Keats
    Sep 24 2026
    In which the delicate art of biography is examined through the lens of two recent lives of John Keats, revealing contrasting approaches to the poet’s character and work that invite contemplation on the nature of literary criticism itself. The delicate balance between understanding a poet as both man and artist is explored with a keen eye for the implications of criticism that either illuminates or obscures the enduring beauty of Keats’s verse.
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    10 min
  • Reviews - New Novels (August 20, 1887)
    Sep 23 2026
    In which the delicate art of novel reviewing unfolds through reflections on diverse new works, assessing their virtues and shortcomings with a measured yet keen eye. The narratives considered range from stirring tales of noble conflict to weary romances, each examined with a graceful blend of candour and gentle wit.
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    6 min
  • Reviews - A Good Historical Novel
    Sep 22 2026
    In which the peculiar art of the historical novel is examined through the lens of a Russian tale set in an enigmatic past, revealing how distance in time lends a certain grandeur and vividness to passion and ambition. The narrative unfolds with a delicate scrutiny of identity and destiny, accompanied by a style both clear and dignified, yet occasionally marred by an awkward attempt at poetic prose.
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    6 min
  • Reviews - Mr. Pater's Imaginary Portraits
    Sep 21 2026
    In which the delicate art of portraying the interplay between philosophy and personality is explored through finely wrought imaginings of characters who embody various passions and ideals, each sketched with a painter’s sensibility and a philosopher’s subtlety. The prose, ascetic yet sensuously precise, is both a pursuit of perfection and a thoughtful meditation on the shifting moods that confer unique charm upon fleeting moments of life and art.
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    9 min
  • Reviews - The Poets' Corner III
    Sep 20 2026
    In which a series of poetic works are delicately examined with affectionate wit, revealing a charming spectrum from earnest attempts to flights of imaginative excess. The discourse gently navigates through the merits and missteps of various authors, sparkling with the subtle irony that embraces both the virtues and the follies of their verses.
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    8 min
  • Reviews - Some Novels II
    Sep 19 2026
    In which an acutely discerning critic surveys a selection of contemporary novels with a blend of sharp wit and genteel disdain, finding some works painfully affected and others refreshingly sincere in their portrayal of life and character. The commentary luxuriates in the foibles of literary fashion and the peculiarities of social types, casting a light both humorous and gently reproachful upon the art of storytelling itself.
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    12 min
  • Reviews - A Batch of Novels
    Sep 18 2026
    In which the subtle art of the Russian novel is examined with a discerning eye, contrasting the exquisite precision of Tourgenieff, the grand epic vision of Tolstoi, and the passionate intensity of Dostoieffski, whose characters unfold like living mysteries before us. Alongside these, contemporary novels of varied merit are briefly appraised, ranging from graceful romance and atmospheric Irish life to works that falter in both style and substance.
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    9 min
  • Reviews - Mr. Morris's Odyssey
    Sep 17 2026
    In which Oscar Wilde extols Mr. William Morris’s translation of the Odyssey as a rare and vigorous poetic achievement, capturing the life and spirit of Homeric verse with a fresh and Northern vitality. The review gracefully compares Morris’s work to previous renditions, praising its artful blend of simplicity, movement, and vivid detail that brings the ancient epic vividly to life in English speech.
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    8 min