Born in Paris, France in 1938, Monique Saigal-Escudero is an Emerita Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures at Pomona College. At just three years old, during the peak of Hitler’s reign in Europe, her grandmother threw her on a train headed for a small city in Southwestern France: an act that ultimately saved her life. Her passion for storytelling would soon bring her back to this history, and once again place her grandmother’s courageousness front and center in her life.
Tag: Book
Speculative Fixations: A relationship made void in ‘As She Climbed Across The Table’
Do you ever feel like you could never live without AI? You’re not alone. In the sci-fi novel “As She Climbed Across the Table,” a physicist falls in love with her experiment, an intelligent void whom she can’t live without. Examining the book, Vivian Fan PO ’28 explores our relationship with AI and how this relationship benefits nonhumans.
The Library of Translations: From international stages to translated pages – book recommendations from around the world
Columnist Caroline Kelly PO ‘27 highlights these cinematic pieces with corresponding book recommendations to escape the post-movie blues.
The Library of Translations: An exploration of censorship and desensitization in ‘We Had To Remove This Post’
In her column, Caroline Kelly offers her thoughts on the 2021 novella “We Had To Remove This Post,” written by Hanna Bervoets, a story about censorship in the digital age.
The Library of Translations: A Review of Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
Book columnist Caroline Kelly PO’22 writes a review on Kim Jiyoung, Born in 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo. The novel chronicles the mundane life of a Korean woman from childhood to motherhood. Translated from Korean to English, the universal theme of female rage makes this international sensation a must-read.
Queer Asian Reads: Why I struggled with Nghi Vo’s reimagining of The Great Gatsby
When book columnist Reia Li PO ‘24 first read Nghi Vo’s novel, “The Chosen and the Beautiful” (2021), she had mixed feelings. It wasn’t until she read Vo’s next book, “Siren Queen” (2022), that she understood why.
Literary wanderings: The weirdest book I’ve ever read — it’s lit
What’s the weirdest book? According to book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23 it’s “Nothing to See Here,” a story that might just set your heart aflame.
Literary wanderings: A 240-mile cycling trip
After an impromptu 240-mile cycling trip, book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23 discovered the inspiring and illuminating “Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road,” a galvanizing read for any cyclist.
Literary wanderings: Portrait of a novelist on the brink of stardom
Anthony Veasna So’s “Afterparties” showcases the late author’s immense talent and potential, writes book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23.
Author Zadie Smith speaks on delight of world building and exploration
The Athenaeum welcomed novelist Zadie Smith and her many fans this past Wednesday, with professor Chloe Martinez conducting the interview.