Essays

On Being Problematic

Part one: on art, prejudice, and The Merchant of Venice

Mar 21 • Alexander Fayne

The Fall of Aphrodite Street

On prejudice, the black dog, and the poetry of Les Murray

Mar 14 • Alexander Fayne

You Are Now Under Exam Conditions

On invigilating exams, seizing the day, and (not) wasting my time

Mar 7 • Alexander Fayne

The Infinity of Lists

On making lists, making lists of lists, and continuing to live

Feb 21 • Alexander Fayne

On Larkin's 'Aubade' - and its discontents

Feb 14 • Alexander Fayne

On getting used to things and not getting used to things

Jan 31 • Alexander Fayne

That Joke isn't Funny Anymore

On teaching English in Italy, Miss Lonelyhearts, and phrasal verbs

Jan 24 • Alexander Fayne

There I Go Again

On pessimism and the poetry of Stevie Smith

Jan 17 • Alexander Fayne

The Italian Dream

On aphorisms, decline, and la dolce vita

Dec 28, 2025 • Alexander Fayne

Blessed are the Cheesemakers

On outrage, wisdom, and the Life of Brian

Dec 20, 2025 • Alexander Fayne

In Memory of Tom Stoppard

Dec 4, 2025 • Alexander Fayne

Dropped without Joy

On misanthropy and the poetry of R. S. Thomas

Nov 29, 2025 • Alexander Fayne

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