When not listening to Bach or Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdes, or dancing to salsa, I like to play jazz piano — but only in the privacy of my own mind.
Another strange fact: My correspondence with writers and poets of the Beat, post-Beat and Fluxus periods, along with other literary artifacts, was acquired by Northwestern University Library. In case you’re interested, the collection is described in the library’s cleverly named Jan Herman Archive.
My literary taste runs to Joseph Conrad, William S. Burroughs, George Orwell, Nelson Algren, Graham Greene and Eric Ambler among the dead, and John Le Carre among the living.
As a former theater reviewer, I’ve lost my taste for most theater these days. As the biographer of one of Hollywood’s great directors, I’ve been spoiled by his movies. As a former film reviewer, I don’t know why most of today’s film critics even bother. But if I had to pick a movie critic to read over the long haul, it would be Roger Ebert — not because I agree with him or even like his taste, but because he’s probably the best writer of the lot.
Favorite literary critic? Clive James. Favorite music critic? Martin Bernheimer. Favorite television critic once upon a time? Clive James.
Recent Comments
william osborne on Unbuttoned: Samuel Beckett Meets William Osborne
Thank you for this, Jan. You are too kind. The "Samuel Beckett Meets William Osborne" is hilarious.Jan Herman on An Absurd Debate About the Last Word
I disagree, Bill. If your reminiscence about Beckett is any measure, I think you should always write blog comments...william osborne on An Absurd Debate About the Last Word
Actually, I wasn’t referring to Gerard’s comment. In fact, I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t do the additional scroll...Jan Herman on An Absurd Debate About the Last Word
Dear Bill -- Now at last the full story! Danke. Merci. I knew you and Beckett had met and...william osborne on An Absurd Debate About the Last Word
One other little thing I forgot. In return for my gift, Beckett wanted to give me tickets to a...william osborne on An Absurd Debate About the Last Word
An interesting topic for me, since I spent seven years doing nothing else but setting the works of Beckett to...Jan Herman onAn Epitaph for Our Golden Era
Thanks, Bill. It puts more light on things. Less irony.william osborne onAn Epitaph for Our Golden Era
“That’s what I find so wonderful, that not a day goes by, to speak in the old style, hardly a...Kyle Gann on‘Taking the Piss’ That May Pass for Shakespeare
Speaking as a tremendous Shakespeare fan, that's fantastic. Never heard that.n.o.mustill on‘Peter Bayliss and the Breatharians’
...right on the $$$. Bravo!,Heathcote Williams.