The Eighteenth-Century Reading Group here at the University of Maryland will next be discussing Joe Roach’s It (University of Michigan Press). We will meet on Friday, Feb 8 from 1-3. It would be great if others want to read along with us and post their responses. Would there be interest in a McKeon-style “collaborative reading” again? Maybe we could start posting a few days before the discussion?
Laura
UPDATE (via DM): Here’s the Amazon.com link.
10 responses so far ↓
dave mazella // January 6, 2008 at 4:31 pm |
I’m game. We haven’t done one in a while, and this sounds like a good candidate. Laura, can you post publication information so others can join in?
Thanks,
DM
laurarosenthal // January 6, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
Joseph Roach, *It* (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2007). Available on Amazon for about $14. Here are some blurbs:
“Strikingly original, wickedly witty, and thoroughly learned, Roach’s anatomy of abnormally interesting people and the vicarious pleasure we take in our modern equivalents to gods and royals will captivate its readers from the first page. I dare you to read just one chapter!”
—Felicity Nussbaum, University of California, Los Angeles
“It considers the effect that arises when spectacularly compelling performers and cultural fantasy converge, as in the outpouring of public grief over the death of Princess Diana. . . . An important work of cultural history, full of metaphysical wit . . . It gives us a fresh vocabulary for interpreting how after-images endure in cultural memory.”
—Andrew Sofer, Boston College
“Joseph Roach’s enormous erudition, sharp wit, engaging style, and gift for finding the most telling historical detail or literary quote are here delightfully applied to the intriguing subject of why certain historical and theatrical figures have possessed a special power to fascinate their public.”
—Marvin Carlson, Graduate Center, City University of New York
That mysterious characteristic “It”—“the easily perceived but hard-to-define quality possessed by abnormally interesting people”—is the subject of Joseph Roach’s engrossing new book, which crisscrosses centuries and continents with a deep playfulness that entertains while it enlightens.
Roach traces the origins of “It” back to the period following the Restoration, persuasively linking the sex appeal of today’s celebrity figures with the attraction of those who lived centuries before. The book includes guest appearances by King Charles II, Samuel Pepys, Flo Ziegfeld, Johnny Depp, Elinor Glyn, Clara Bow, the Second Duke of Buckingham, John Dryden, Michael Jackson, and Lady Diana, among others.
Carrie Hintz // January 16, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
Count me in for this–I’m still waiting for my copy but could imagine posting in early Feb. !!
David Mazella // January 16, 2008 at 3:53 pm |
Carrie, great hearing from you. We’ll divvy up the chapters in the next day or so.
Best,
DM
Laura Rosenthal // January 16, 2008 at 9:42 pm |
Thanks, Carrie. That’s fabulous.
Laura
dave mazella // January 16, 2008 at 10:43 pm |
Anna Battigelli is also onboard. DM
tchico // January 23, 2008 at 3:43 pm |
In the interest of research and just plain interest, I just watched *It* (thanks to Netflix) on dvd. Bow’s performance is quite fascinating, in light of Roach’s argument. The movie also features a cameo by Madame Elinor Glyn herself.
diogenes1000 // January 26, 2008 at 6:24 pm |
Dwight Codr is onboard as well. DM
Laura Rosenthal // January 28, 2008 at 11:45 am |
Hello All:
Here is the posting schedule:
Laura Rosenthal : introduction Feb 13
Laura Engel : chapter 1 : accessories Feb 15
Tita Chico : chapter 2 : clothes Feb 17
Anna Battegelli : chapter 3 : hair Feb 19
Carrie Hintz: chapter 4: skin Feb 20
Dwight Codr: chapter 5: flesh Feb 22
Dave Mazella : chapter 6 : bone Feb 24
Let me know if you want anything changed around.
Laura Rosenthal // January 28, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
Update: Dwight and Carrie switched chapters. Everything else is the same.
LR