The Virtual Writing University Archive

The Virtual Writing University Archive is a collection of recordings of literary readings, panel discussions, and lectures around The University of Iowa and Iowa City. You may search or browse these recordings to find those you want to hear. The Writing University Archive is a project of the School of Library and Information Science in collaboration with the writing community at Iowa.

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First Annual Paul Engle Literary Festival

Play Audio (1 hour, 7 min.)

Christopher Merrill introduces the reading, which is the inaugural event of the first annual Paul Engle Literary Festival. He reads a statement from Iowa governor Tom Vilsak that declares October 12th “Paul Engle Day.” IWP alum David Toscana reads from his novel Tula Station. Merrill introduces Arnost Lustig, who recounts what it was like to be at the IWP in the early 1970’s and recalls his friendship with Paul Engle. He introduces the reading of his book Lovely Green Eyes: A Novel. Chris Merrill reads an excerpt of Lustig’s novel.

In: International Writing Program Archive | Fiction

Authors: David Toscana , Arnost Lustig

Date Recorded: October 12, 2000

Works Read: Toscana reads from his novel Tula Station. Chris Merrill reads from Arnost Lustig's novel Lovely Green Eyes: A Novel.

Program: --

Format: reading

Contributors: Christopher Merrill

Topics: IWP ; Paul Engle ; Tom Vilsack ; Hualing Nieh Engle ; writing in Iowa ; WWII- Czechoslovakia ; Holocaust

Note: A brief interruption at 45 min.

Play Audio (1 hour, 7 min.)