Wordy Birds

Beginner’s Greek

Original airdate: May 2, 2008

James Collins is extremely tall and extremely masculine and this is his first novel after resigning as a former senior editor at Time. Why are his height and looks relevant?  Because he chose romance as his subject in “Beginner’s Greek.”

Yes, men can write romance but the book is drippingly sweet, almost cavity inducing. The good guy gets the girl in the tied-up-nicely-in-the-end novel. I loved the book, by the way.

Before you overlook this one because you think you’re too smart for the subject, Mr. Collins has some unique insights into the human experience, more than a few clever scenes and an idea about the tenacity and necessity of manners that is quite unusual. It’s a perfect book for just hanging out and reading.

Throughout this interview the show takes an interesting and unintended detour into a discussion of legacy, meritocracy and achievement. All of which, Mr. Collins implies isn’t his “due” since he was born into a family that went to Harvard and everyone from Harvard gets jobs like his (good stuff to think about and stuff that will become interview fodder for many unexpecting and overly educated authors to come).

Mr. Collins was in Richmond to speak at a Library of Virginia event. Their complete upcoming schedule can be found on their website, http://www.lva.virginia.gov/whoweare/events/index.asp.
 
Thanks for tuning in. Please comment. I’m lonely.

Liz

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Beginner’s Greek: A Novel