I came to know Gore Vidal in the mid-1980s, when I was living in southern Italy, virtually a neighbour, and our friendship lasted until his death in 2012. Needless to say, he was a complicated and often combative man. Jay Parini 1980scombativecomplicate share on social
Even among those who have no special allegiance to a particular branch of Christianity, there are plenty of seekers as well as agnostics and atheists who harbor a certain curiosity about Jesus and his story. Jay Parini agnosticallegianceatheist share on social
In truth, Jesus did not, in his own time, attract much notice. Jay Parini attractjesusnotice Change image and share on social
'Of Mice and Men,' Steinbeck's fifth novel, adheres to a simple dramatic structure, which observes the classic Aristotelian unities of time, place and action. Jay Parini actionadherearistotelian Change image and share on social
I suspect that a huge amount of the anxiety and suffering that we see around can be closely traced to our wanton misuse of our resources. Just look at any garbage dump and see what is wasted. In a sense, we've wasted our souls. Jay Parini amountanxietyclosely share on social
Language kills, and inflamed rhetoric of the kind that spews almost daily from the lips of Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, and others running for public office in this country should be condemned. Jay Parini bencarsoncondemn share on social
We should never forget that Americans continue to advocate for individual liberty, equality and self-governance. We often step in when it's necessary to help countries in need. But our history needs no whitewashing. To attempt this does us a terrible disservice. Jay Parini advocateamericanattempt share on social
Among the disciples of Jesus, it seems most likely that at least Philip was bilingual in Aramaic and Greek. Jay Parini aramaicbilingualdisciple Change image and share on social
A proper respect for nature means that you can't pollute the air, poison the rivers and chop down the forests indiscriminately without suffering greatly. Jay Parini airchopforest Change image and share on social
American politicians who dwell on American exceptionalism only dishonor us by suggesting we play dumb to our past. Jay Parini americandishonordumb Change image and share on social
