At our February meeting we have discussed Edith Wharton's "Xingu and Other Stories", a collection of short stories published in their bilingual editions by Palabrero Press. It consists of five short stories written in this specific for Wharton ironic style, which ruthles…

Ja mes Graham Ballard was born on 15 November 1930 in Shanghai, China, the son of James Ballard (1901–1966), managing director of the China Printing and Finishing Company (a subsidiary of the Manchester-based Calico Printers Association), and his wife, Edna, née Johnstone (1905–1998…

This month I've decided to share with you the audio-biography of Edith Wharton from Voice of America. You can practice your listening skills: In case you prefer reading it, follow this link for a script: VoA: Edith Wharton, 1862-1937: She Wrote About the Young and Innocen…

This month I would like to share with you an audio from WNYC: Adam Begley talks about his biography of Updike, which explores how Updike's fiction was shaped by his tumultous personal life and love for "the American small town". I hope you enjoy it! When i…

Truman's Life Truman Capote was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sept 30th 1924 with the name Truman Persons to his seventeen year old mother Lillie Mae Faulk and father Archulus Persons (26). Capote's father, Archulus "Arch" Persons, worked as a clerk for a ste…