FREDERIK POHL Dies at 93—University of London’s plan to SELL SHAKESPEARE’S WORKS criticized by academic community

By MICHELLE HOGMIRE | 9/5/13

SEPTEMBER READING GROUP—The Guardian’s reading group will focus on Malcolm Lowry’s ‘Under the Volcano.’ See The Guardian’s website for introductions to the work, a documentary on Lowry and book annotations. http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/sep/05/september-reading-group-under-the-volcano

“Forget hatchet-faced critics—farce is the quintessence of theatre,” by The Guardian’s Michael Billington:  Billington discusses negative criticism of farce and defends the form, saying that farce is timeless and flexible.  http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/05/defence-farce-theatre-trend 

9/4/13

“Frederik Pohl, Science Fiction Master Who Vaporized Utopias, Dies at 93,” by N.Y. Times’ Gerald Jonas: “Frederik Pohl, whose passion for science fiction while growing up in Brooklyn led to a distinguished career as one of its most literate and politically sophisticated practitioners, though one who was skeptical about attempts to perfect society through scientific means, died on Monday. He was 93.

Mr. Pohl, who lived in Palatine, Ill., a Chicago suburb, died in a nearby hospital, according to his agent, Mitchell Waters, who confirmed the death.” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/books/frederik-pohl-worldly-wise-master-of-science-fiction-dies-at-93.html?pagewanted=all

SNEAK PEEK BOOKENDS—“Are Novelists Too Wary of Criticizing Other Novelists?” by Zoe Heller and Adam Kirsch in upcoming Sept. 8 N.Y. Times Sunday Book Review: Heller and Kirsch discuss the novelist’s role as a critic. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/08/books/review/are-novelists-too-wary-of-criticizing-other-novelists.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 

CRITICISM—“University’s plan to sell Shakespeare’s works branded ‘act of stupidity,’” by The Telegraph’s Claire Carter: Academics criticize University of London’s plan to sell four copies of collected plays.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10285369/Universitys-plan-to-sell-Shakespeares-works-branded-act-of-stupidity.html