English Faculty Reading Review

Short stories, poems, memoirs, streams of consciousness: the Olmstead Room became a showcase of talent on Wednesday, January 27 when the faculty of the Kalamazoo College English department gathered to share selections of their work. This annual reading gives students the opportunity to experience their professors’ impressive abilities, and this year did not disappoint. Through various styles and voices, the English department shared strong pieces of literature, inviting students into their vibrant and unique perspectives.

Andy Mozina, English Department chair, began the night with an excerpt from the short story “My Non-Sexual Affair.” This comical piece toyed with the fine line between innocence and guilt. Between detailed descriptions of flowers and hot fudge sundaes, Mozina threw in suggestive hints, “sticky,” “thick” fudge that clung to a sweater, humorously making the protagonist a man marked by guilt.

In “Rothko’s Room,” visiting professor Beth Marzoni described her experience at the Tate Modern in London. The piece, dotted with effective rhyme, “February and full bloom already,” and vivid alliteration, “shadowy shifting” “sun splashed south,” took the audience on a vibrant, visual trip.

Marin Heinritz shared a part of her memoir, a segment detailing her mother’s struggle with illness. From flashbacks to her childhood and more recent experiences, her use of concise, concrete language gave a strong portrayal of the evolution of her close relationship with her mother. Gail Griffin followed, reading an excerpt from her forthcoming book, the story of the murder-suicide that occurred at Kalamazoo College ten years ago. Griffin’s use of poignant language and strong imagery transported the audience directly into this tragic incident. The room fell silent as she resurrected these haunting events through vivid descriptions like an “atmospheric dance between a hot spell and the coming rain.”

Glenn Deutsch, visiting assistant professor of English, shared an excerpt from the short story “The Monkey Version of My Father.” Though he spoke quickly and in a more subdued manner, this account, rich in clever humor, had the audience laughing throughout.

Visiting professor Amy Rodgers shared a segment of a process piece. This quick-witted, detailed selection described the beginnings of her graduate research on Robert Frost’s son Carol. Rodgers’ theatrical roots came through in her dramatic reading: a sudden, upward glance, a sharp arch of an eyebrow, a hint of sarcasm, and Rodgers had the audience hooked.

Babli Sinha had a hard act to follow, and after Rodger’s expressive reading, Sinha’s dense research piece was difficult to digest. Though clearly a strong academic work full of in-depth research and evidence, “New Woman” would be best appreciated and understood in a different setting.

Writer in residence, Di Seuss, brought back the energy with her two poems. In her typical engaging fashion, Seuss said it raw and honest. She read as though having a conversation. Repeatedly making eye contact and animated expressions, she invited the audience into the experiences of an insecure teen and a drag queen.

Amelia Katanski structured her creative non-fiction work around the four noble truths of Buddhism. The piece, which read like a list in four parts, explored various instances in her grandfather’s life and, through vivid description, gave a clear representation of the Buddhist theme that life and suffering are inseparable.

Bruce Mills finished strong with excerpts from his memoir “An Archeology of Yearning,” an account of his experiences with his son’s autism. Detailed descriptions, “tenuous strands tucked in our throats” and images of boxes stuffed with his son’s various artistic creations, conveyed the intricacies of autism and Mills’ determined, ongoing journey to understand his son.

A strong culmination to a phenomenal night, Mills reminded audience members that anticipation, learning, and life are archeological. They are an on-going study, a constant work in progress.