M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang

Recommended by Emily Shpiece

The play is a retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in which a French ambassador, Rene Gallimard, falls in love with opera star Song Liling. They meet after Gallimard sees Liling portray the title role in Puccini’s opera and, inspired by his womanizing friend, Gallimard begins to test the limits of Liling’s confidence and pride believing that she, a Chinese woman, will eventually bend to his domineering Western position.…

Karen Poremski, Associate Professor of English

“The thing about the 2016 welcoming ceremony in Alexandria is that I didn’t go there to see HƍkĆ«le’a. Instead, I was there with my friend Steve Tamayo, who is Lakota. He and I had been visiting with staff members in the Cultural Resources Center of the National Museum of the American Indian, and visiting various museums in and around D.C.

Rebecca Gerrish, Class of 2019

Favorite Authors, Genres, Periods, Interests?

One of my favorite all-around authors is Kurt Vonnegut. His wit and humor are so refreshing and his writing style is different than anything else I’ve read. My favorite book of his is Breakfast of Champions. One of my other favorite books is A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess.…

Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa

Recommended by Elizabeth Anderson

I read this novel on the back porch of my childhood home in a sleepy  suburb of the Pacific Northwest over the summer, and was struck by the nearby history that I had never learned. Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist is based on and takes place during the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle; its take on the historical facts of the event is painted by Yapa’s poignant, lyrical phrasing.…

SacrĂ© Bleu: A Comedy d’Art by Christopher Moore

Recommended by Jordan Waterwash

Christopher Moore’s ability to transform history into fantastical comedies completely mystifies me every time I read one of his books. Sacré Bleu is no exception. I’ve always been a fan of art, so it seemed natural for me to read what I thought would be an interesting tale about the lives of made-up artists during the Impressionist period.…

Katherine Romeo, Class of 2018

Favorite Authors, Genres, Periods, Interests?

I’m interested in the voices of marginalized writers, especially queer people of color.

What do you like most about being an English major?

My English major has allowed me to grow and give concise analysis, not only in English but also any other discipline.

What has been your most exciting or transformative experience as a major thus far?

Dexter Curtis Adams, Class of 2018

Favorite Authors, Genres, Periods, Interests?

Favorite author: Taran Matharu

Favorite Genre: Fantasy

What do you like most about being an English major?

The ability to use my writing ability to its fullest.

What has been your most exciting or transformative experience as a major thus far?

Experiencing writing and literature from a new cultural perspective when I was in London for a study abroad program.…