Category: Popular Culture

A tale of two countries (part 1)

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ 3 Comments

Friends – I generally use this blog to talk about the unreal, but today I want to talk about something real. I want to talk about a country that used to exist. It’s gone now. It’s been gone for almost 30 years. And most of us don’t remember its existence. That’s how successfully it has … Continue reading A tale of two countries (part 1)

July 27th, 2017 — Revisiting Magical Realism for the bloghop — why the unreal matters more than ever

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ 9 Comments

Friends -- I am participating in the annual Magical Realism Bloghop, organized by writer and foremost electronic impresario of the MR scene, Zoe Brooks. For this bloghop, I usually post craft tips, but today I'd just like to say a few words about why MR and other forms of non-realist word art matter to me … Continue reading July 27th, 2017 — Revisiting Magical Realism for the bloghop — why the unreal matters more than ever

July 4th Special — TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER — a senate sonnet project

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ 2 Comments

Friends -- one might argue that we are living in surrealistic times here in the United States. One has only to open one's laptop or peruse the local paper to see magically real headlines and stories which make one wonder what dimension one is actually living in. In honor of this spectacularly unreal-feeling historical moment, … Continue reading July 4th Special — TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER — a senate sonnet project

Reading the 18th Century, March 12, 2017. Rousseau redux: The Discourse on Inequality continued with some cool info on people who read him

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ Leave a comment

  Hi everyone -- welcome back as we take a second look at this seminal piece of writing by Jean Jacques Rousseau. Last time, I talked about Rousseau's theory of humans in the state of nature. Now we'll take a quick look at some of his other ideas. Part 2 of the Discourse starts off … Continue reading Reading the 18th Century, March 12, 2017. Rousseau redux: The Discourse on Inequality continued with some cool info on people who read him

me and the enlightenment 1 – 11/27/16

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Friends of the unreal -- Well, here we are. The unreal is upon us, and has become fact. Barring a miracle, a surprising recount, an indictment, or an unforseen force majeure, Donald Trump ascends to the presidency. Alot is being said and has been said about the Founding Fathers, our "national character," "who we are," … Continue reading me and the enlightenment 1 – 11/27/16

keeping it real, just this once

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ Leave a comment

Dear friends of the unreal -- I was preparing an inspiring post talking about 4 wonderful artists when the US elections happened. The final tally is in process, but it seems probable that Mr. Trump will become the presidential incumbent. One of the reasons I love magical realism is that this kind of writing allows … Continue reading keeping it real, just this once

Does the ending have to work? Thinking about Joanne Harris’ Lollipop Shoes

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ 2 Comments

Friends -- I'm trying to read more self-proclaimed magical realist novels this year, so that I can be a more educated writer AND reader. I'm also interested in the debates as to what is and what is not magical realism. As you know, I made it through 100 Years of Solitude, and just finished Joanne … Continue reading Does the ending have to work? Thinking about Joanne Harris’ Lollipop Shoes

re-pairing, reparationing — Natasha Marin and making the questions real

~ Stephanie Barbé Hammer ~ 6 Comments

Friends, This has been an intense summer. So much of the news in the United States today feels -- well -- unreal. I've been at a loss to write about it. So, I've been watching tv and wondering what my white, WASP Republican family would say about Donald Trump if they were still alive. They … Continue reading re-pairing, reparationing — Natasha Marin and making the questions real