Archive - Saccades and Fixations

Molecular Moral Forces 8: 1868-71

We saw at the conclusion of last week’s post that Henry James was early drawn to the "unknowing [or half-knowing] psychic vampire" theme.

Jun 28 • Phil Christman

Molecular Moral Forces 7: Juvenilia

Nothing scrambles the distinction between inner and outer like family.

Jun 21 • Phil Christman

Why Do People Think Christians Fear First Contact?

I place it solidly in the top 5 Star Trek movies

Jun 15 • Phil Christman

Molecular Moral Forces 6: Miss Maggie Mitchell in "Fanchon the Cricket"

Below, I have typed out in full Henry James, Jr.'s, first published piece of writing, a play review written in the first week of 1863.

Jun 14 • Phil Christman

Advice For Writers in Prison and Those Who Support Them

an answer to some semi-frequently asked questions

Jun 11 • Phil Christman

Platner Discourse Is Weird

If you don’t follow politics, there’s this guy who has a history of “spicy” Reddit opinions, a string of disturbing accusations from exes that don’t…

Jun 8 • Phil Christman

Molecular Moral Forces 5: Balzac

more like "honoring my ballsack" huh-huh-huh

Jun 7 • Phil Christman

Some Things I Think My New Glasses “Say” About Me

I got new glasses.

Jun 2 • Phil Christman

May 2026

The Research Process

In grad school I read Tristram Shandy and loved it.

May 28 • Phil Christman

Somehow, Author Returned

May 24 • Phil Christman

Molecular Moral Forces 4: Swedenborg

So now, in our runthrough of influences upon the James brothers, we must pause to talk about Emanuel Swedenborg, who is — unless you belong to one of…

May 24 • Phil Christman

Give These People Their Own Dedicated Library of America Volumes Immediately Or I Will _____, Volume 2

an occasional series

May 21 • Phil Christman