Amos Oz Reading at the 48th International PEN Congress
"Having to read it to you in English translation feels rather like making love through a blanket." More
The Role of the Writer: Bárbara Jacobs
“If a writer is a good writer, he uncovers and records the loose ends, and if the state wants him to keep his trap shut, he does not conform… More
Katherine Dunn Reads from Geek Love
Katherine Dunn reads an excerpt from her novel, Geek Love, at the 1989 PEN America event "Where Rolls the Mighty Oregon: Pacific NW Writers." More
PEN Congress: Saul Bellow, 1966
An isolated recording of Saul Bellow speaking at the 1966 PEN International Congress addressing a number of topics and tropes. More
Writing in a Racialized Society: Cornel West
Cornel West speaks at the PEN America event "Writing in a Racialized Society." More
Gary Indiana: A Letter from William S. Burroughs
"Brainwashing, thought control, etc. is the vilest form of crime against the person of another." More
Susan Sontag and Chinua Achebe In Conversation
"Art is supposed to give us a second handle on reality, so that when real life becomes too rough, we can use this." More
Gary Snyder: What I Fear Most
What does Gary Snyder Fear Most? Find out in this recording taken from Nature Dead, Nature Alive (1991) The many forms of free expression exist beyond the reaches of… More
Ryszard Kapuscinskis at the 1986 PEN International Congress
Polish journalist and poet Ryszard Kapuściński speaking at the 1986 PEN International Congress event “How Does the State Imagine?” More
Edward Said: Plurality and Unity
In this 1989 reading in support and defense of Salman Rushdie, Edward Said speaks to the role of pluralism in a contemporary, hybrid society. More
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