Paradise Almanac

Outline for a New Academy: Ancient Capital (2026)

“The recollection of past beauty tastes like poison.” — Hölderlin “Communism of the Spirits” (trans.

Mar 28 • Matthew Spencer

8

1

Log Cabin Minimalism, or Birthdeath Transmissions in American Tibet

On Éliane Radigue (1932-2026)

Mar 17 • Matthew Spencer

13

2

A Pirate Enterprise

On DeLillo, Gaddis, and fiction that can meet this very stupid moment

Mar 6 • Matthew Spencer

24

6

February 2026

Remembering Michael Silverblatt

My unexceptional experience with the most exceptional reader of our time

Feb 20 • Matthew Spencer

27

2

6

Heaven on Earth: Ancient Capital 1787

More historical fiction of Philadelphia

Feb 11 • Matthew Spencer

5

3

January 2026

Suburban Streets, Suburban Screenings

Two Films, the Same Dirty Job

Jan 16 • Matthew Spencer

7

3

First Flight

On the early aeronautical history of America, on supposedly "walkable cities" and their driving culture, and the first book I read in 2026

Jan 9 • Matthew Spencer

6

1

2025 in Rear View

More grist for the content mill

Jan 1 • Matthew Spencer

8

1

2

December 2025

Ulysses in the Alps, Ulysses in Seattle

On bickering about a book on the site of a mass shooting

Dec 24, 2025 • Matthew Spencer

21

2

6

New Translation Out: The Parson in Jubilee by Jean Paul

Concerning snail staircases and the bantering style

Dec 10, 2025 • Matthew Spencer

9

3

November 2025

For N.

The generations are erased, one after another, like chalk from a blackboard.

Nov 26, 2025 • Matthew Spencer

13

2

2

Centillions Ensouled

More on Lafcadio Hearn and late November vegetation

Nov 20, 2025 • Matthew Spencer

3

1

1