This Week in Words – Oct 20

by Treehouse Editors

compiled by Rachel Bondurant

Jason Novak illustrates Finnegans Wake…in a way, I think. Truthfully, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here, which I think is a common reaction to the actual work, but the illustrations are entertaining.

Johnny Depp and HarperCollins are launching a new imprint, Infinitum Nihil (the same name as Depp’s production company). Depp promises to “deliver publications worthy of people’s time, of people’s concern, publications that might never have breached the parapet,” which I think could go either way, judging from Depp’s movie choices.

Good news, poets: the villanelle is making a comeback, says Claire Kelley at Melville House. Without knowing it previously, I’m a big fan of this poetic form. From Dylan Thomas’ “Do not go gentle into that good night” to newly discovered favorite “Mad Girl’s Love Story” by Sylvia Plath, the villanelle has a smooth rhythm that’s easy to appreciate, even if you’re often intimidated by poetry (like me).

BBC News reports that a study in Sweden has revealed a link between creativity and mental illness, especially among writers, surprising no one.