You are a human animal.

You are a very special breed.

Or you are the only animal.

Who can think, who can reason, who can read?

Hi, this is Michael Silverblad, and welcome to Bookworm.

Today, my guest is Alan Kurzweil, the author of A Case of Curiosity, is published by Harket Brace,

Giovanovitch.

Well, reading this book, it reminded me of the kind of books my teacher back in Buffalo

used to write.

That was John Barth and, you know, the

author of the great Sotweed Factor. And, you know, it was wonderful to find a new 18th century

romp. But what draws people do you think to the 18th century? Why that particular period? I'm not exactly sure.

It's almost like asking a painter what draws into a certain color or a combination of colors.

But I think that in my investigation of the period, I realized or learned that it was an age that reveled

in desire, in secrets, in reason, in debauchery, and all of those things are things

that interest me.

I'm fascinated by the notion of secrecy and the expression of amorous intent.

And I hope that that sensibility imbues the novel.

Well, I think it's also that in a certain way,

there's a certain kind of writer who's drawn to the Victorian novel

and likes to impose on it

the dawn of contemporary sexual awakening.

...