a seventh, “Dead as a Duck,” scheduled for publication later this summer. www.colleenshogan.com
on the history and culture of the times, but it’s when he delves into the juicy details of the court cases that he really brings the Victorian era to life. Who could resist the story of a nun who refused to leave her order Mutton Again? and was punished by, among other indigniIn 1866, a Cockney named Arthur Orton ties, being served mutton every day for two returned to his native London from Wagga years? “Her meals were always the same disWagga, New South Wales. Except he arrived gusting mutton—’lukewarm, then lukewarm not as Orton but as Roger Tichborne, longand fatty, next lukewarm, lost heir to a family forfatty, and the leavings of tune who had drowned others’ plates,’” as she more than a decade betestified.” fore in a shipwreck. Nev“Saints and Siner mind that there was litners in Queen Victoria’s tle resemblance between Courts” gives us a rare the two men (Orton glimpse into the controweighed 364 pounds to versies, large and small, Tichborne’s 140) or that that made their way into the imposter’s knowledge the courtrooms of 19thof Tichborne’s life discentury Britain and the played considerable gaps. intriguing, nefarious, and Improbably, Orton sometimes hapless charwas able to garner wideacters who were caught spread popular support, up in them. holding rallies at which Tom Zaniello is a he whipped up mobs former professor of litwith claims of “a vast JeTom Zaniello examines ten conerature and film studies suit conspiracy” and allu- troversial and scandalous trials in “Saints and Sinners in Queen who has organized film sions to secret forces and Victoria’s Courts.” festivals at the Hill Censordid acts going on beter as well as for the Lonhind the scenes. Even his don and Liverpool Film base couldn’t save him, Festivals. He is the author though, and the “slippery of numerous essays and scoundrel” went to prisbooks on film studies, liton for his lies. erature, and popular culOrton is just one ture, including “The Cinof the “outrageous and ema of the Precariat: The fascinating Victorians” Exploited, Underemwhose court case is exployed, and Temp Workamined by Tom Zaniers of the World.” Find ello in “Saints and Sinhim on Facebook @tzaners in Queen Victoria’s niello. ◆ Courts: Ten Scandalous Trials.” The trials he presents provide insights into some of the era’s preoccupations—“Catholic-Protestant struggles, architectural extravagances, genealogical obsessions, and inheritance anxiety”—and highlight some of the prominent personalities who were frequently involved in legal wrangles. Zaniello provides ample background
THE POETIC HILL by Karen Lyon
M
ichael H. Levin is the author of three poetry collections: “Falcons” (Finishing Line Press, 2020), “Man Overboard” (Finishing Line Press, 2018), and “Watered Colors” (Poetica Publishing, 2014). His work has appeared in Gargoyle Magazine, Adirondack Review, and Crosswinds, among other journals and anthologies. He is also co-author of “Two Pianos: Playing for Life,” a multimedia concert documentary about female Jewish musicians who performed during the Third Reich and the power of music to sustain life and friendship under oppression (https://twopianosplayingforlife.org). Levin works as an environmental lawyer and solar energy developer and lives in Washington, DC. His poem below was published in Rat’s Ass Review in 2020. www.michaellevinpoetry.com What Is It Dies Today All laws blown off like leaves cold hate slides down the streets misrule usurps routine gross insults turd up speech no fact seems safe to state bland lies smear every screen mean crowds chant gangster words while children drown in reach wild anger poisons friends restraint’s gone back to bed the sky turns dark then red the demon claws his prey his minions get their way what is it dies today
If you would like to have your poem considered for publication, please send it to klyon@literaryhillbookfest.org. (There is no remuneration.) ◆
July 2021 ★ 83
