Reading William Gass

Interesting tidbit in this Blake Bailey interview, when he’s discussing Roth’s review-reading and grudge-holding. Bailey said that after WG wrote critically of a Roth work, Roth would for years ask new people he met, “What do you think of William Gass?” 

A great summary of reading “The Tunnel” from The Millions’ “Year in Reading” series. 

Happy to share two great pieces of news: First, a just-launched The Tunnel at 25: An Online Symposium, organized by Ted Morrissey; and second, The Tunnel: 25th Anniversary Celebration, organized by WU Libraries, home of the William H. Gass Papers. Click through for all the details and to read some fine new essays on the book. 

Here’s the proper link to the previously mentioned project.

Interesting project, via St. Louis Public Radio.

I highly recommend you click through to check out the details of the latest issue of the North Dakota Quarterly, which includes loads of Gass-related material, including an interview I’d never read before that focuses on William Gaddis. I was pleased to support the quarterly with a purchase; orders yours today.

On Twitter, Greg Gerke reminds us that we’re coming up on the 25th anniversary of The Tunnel’s publication and links to Michael Silverblatt’s remarkable review that ran in the LA Times.

A long one from Ted Morrissey.

A new translation of Omensetter’s Luck by Ce Santiago.

What will you remember most fondly about Lorin Cuoco? How do you see her legacy continuing to have an impact? Leave us a voicemail at 314-516-6397 or send an email to [email protected], and we may use your comments on air or online.

Click through to read the four-page introduction. 

Joel is the curator of the Modern Literature Collection at Washington University in St. Louis. Lorin’s papers are now part of this special collection.

I was very sad to learn in recent days of the death of Lorin Cuoco, who was the Associate Director of the International Writers Center with Gass, the producer of the audiobook version of The Tunnel read by the author, and a longtime friend of the Gasses. I was fortunate to get to know Lorin over the years here in St. Louis. She cared deeply about the arts and wrote poetry herself. I encourage you to learn more about Lorin’s life and contributions to our region’s culture here: “Lorin Cuoco, arts and literature advocate, author and editor, dies at 64.” Peace and condolences to Lorin’s husband, John.

Click through above for information about a new book of essays by Greg Gerke, who should be familiar to readers of ReadingGass.org. He’s interviewed Gass and written about his work insightfully. Congrats on the collection, Greg.

Excellent essay by Alec Nevala-Lee in the Sunday NYT Book Review.

Written by Jacob Singer.