Booksquare

By the way, what is the perjorative term for an intellectual male? Hmmm, nothing comes to mind. In discussing author Sarah Dunant’s bestseller The Birth Of Venus, the Guardian UK expresses shock that a readable historical novel (i.e., sex and violence and all the rest of the human condition) comes from such a highbrow author. Does this mean intellectuals can’t talk to the masses? On the other hand, what sort of character is so broadly drawn that she can be played onscreen by either Penelope Cruz or Keira Knightley? That one boggles this particular mind.

• Blue-stocking author storms America with historical tale