Reading William Gass

Philip Roth’s Gass Test

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 09:29:51 -0500

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?”

Greg Afinogenov on "The Tunnel"

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 14:44:28 -0600

Greg Afinogenov on "The Tunnel":

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

New 25th Anniversary Tunnel Happenings

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 09:00:05 -0500

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: 25^th 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.

“Tim Youd: The Tunnel Retyped”

Mon, 25 May 2020 16:22:01 -0500

“Tim Youd: The Tunnel Retyped”:

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

"Tim Youd Will Retype William Gass' Mammoth 'The Tunnel' On Livestream"

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 21:22:25 -0500

"Tim Youd Will Retype William Gass' Mammoth 'The Tunnel' On Livestream":

Interesting project, via St. Louis Public Radio.

New Gass-Focused Issue of the North Dakota Quarterly

Sun, 02 Feb 2020 21:23:21 -0600

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.

“A Small Apartment in Hell“

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:13:48 -0600

“A Small Apartment in Hell“:

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.

Paperback Page for "The William H. Gass Reader"

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:05:25 -0500

Paperback Page for "The William H. Gass Reader"

“The Celebration Goes On”: A Review of The William H. Gass Reader | North American Review

Sun, 22 Sep 2019 20:55:31 -0500

“The Celebration Goes On”: A Review of The William H. Gass Reader | North American Review:

A long one from Ted Morrissey.

"La suerte de Omensetter"

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:32:30 -0500

"La suerte de Omensetter":

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

St. Louis Public Radio: "Tuesday: The Legacy Of Local Writer, Arts Advocate And Radio Producer Lorin Cuoco"

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 06:43:17 -0500

St. Louis Public Radio: "Tuesday: The Legacy Of Local Writer, Arts Advocate And Radio Producer Lorin Cuoco":

Today’s “St. Louis on the Air” (12 p.m.) will include a segment on the legacy of Lorin Cuoco, including her many years working with William Gass. If you’re reading this and knew Lorin, please consider responding to the station’s invitation:

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 talk@stlpublicradio.org, and we may use your comments on air or online.

"When Bill Gass introduced Toni Morrison | The Source" | Washington University in St. Louis

Sat, 17 Aug 2019 19:27:02 -0500

"When Bill Gass introduced Toni Morrison | The Source" | Washington University in St. Louis:

Click through to read the four-page introduction.

Joel Minor Remembers Lorin Cuoco

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:58:45 -0500

Joel Minor Remembers Lorin Cuoco:

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.

Mourning the Loss of Lorin Cuoco

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:49:30 -0500

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.

Greg Gerke: "See What I See"

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 08:31:42 -0500

Greg Gerke: "See What I See":

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.

NYT: "A 1995 Novel Predicted Trump’s America"

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 14:22:19 -0500

NYT: "A 1995 Novel Predicted Trump’s America":

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

Brooklyn Rail on "The William H. Gass Reader"

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 14:21:22 -0500

Brooklyn Rail on "The William H. Gass Reader":

Written by Jacob Singer.

"In Search of William Gass"

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 15:58:32 -0500

"In Search of William Gass":

Zachary Fine, author of the just-linked TLS review of “The Gass Reader,” has also written a personal on-the-road diary of his time researching the piece, published yesterday at The Paris Review’s blog. (The essay includes a paragraph about Fine’s conversation with me, a discussion I enjoyed. I’m referred to cryptically, with a bit of a smile, as “Mr. S.” While my intention was for Fine to consider my comments ‘on background’ as they say, to keep the focus on WG, I will enjoy the ‘anonymity’ Fine chose to grant me… Though I do have my name in the sidebar.)

"Style is not ornament": Zachary Fine on "The Gass Reader" in TLS

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 08:50:26 -0500

"Style is not ornament": Zachary Fine on "The Gass Reader" in TLS

"Readers on The William H. Gass Reader"

Sat, 09 Feb 2019 07:44:30 -0600

"Readers on The William H. Gass Reader":

Click through for a new piece at Washington University’s University Libraries website. The post includes this new video of WUSTL alumna Lisa Sharkey moderating a panel between Jan Garden Castro, Garth Hallberg, Joel Minor, and Sam Sacks on Gass’s life and legacy.