Leann Davis Alspaugh

For more than a decade, I've belabored the reading public with articles about literature and the visual and performing arts, as well as book reviews.

If I had to state a specialty, it would probably be the impact of the visual arts on literature. To that end, I've presented papers at academic conferences on William Hogarth and Laurence Sterne’s 1759 novel Tristram Shandy; Martin Rowson's graphic novel version of Tristram Shandy; N.C. Wyeth’s King Arthur illustrations; and Czech avant-garde artist Karel Teige and his 1926 book Alphabet.

In addition to maintaining Orange-tinted Glasses, I contribute to The New Criterion, a monthly arts and commentary journal. I also write about opera for Los Angeles Opera, Washington National Opera, and other companies.

My professional background has been a mix of editorial and graphic design positions. I have worked for arts magazines, record labels, and book publishers. I also maintain a modest roster of freelance writing and design clients.

My reading runs to English literature (Victorian and early modern), French classics, and Russians of the late nineteenth century. Basically, if you hated it in high school, it’s my favorite reading.

I admit to being a bit of a book snob and read very few living writers, except for V.S. Naipaul, Cormac McCarthy, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Gabriel García Marquez.

In May 2007, I received a master’s in English literature from Boston College; my undergraduate degree is in French from Texas A&M (yes, it can be done). I grew up in LaMarque, Texas, about 50 miles south of Houston.

My other interests include travel and architectural history. I collect prints and inexpensive green ceramic planters from the mid-twentieth century.

I have two claims to fame: I have an uncle who was a World War II hero and is buried at Arlington Cemetery, and my husband is a Grammy Award-winning classical producer.