“Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit

Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste

Brought Death into the World, and all our woe”

Gentle listener, for a moment this Advent season, allow me to coax you away from the bright cold neon onslaught of holiday cheer and into the candlelit sanctuary of the FBWL Reading Room.  Pour yourself a nice cup of coffee or tea and take a seat by the warm, crackling fire as we reflect upon THE FALL OF MANKIND.  After all, how can we truly appreciate the hope of Christmas unless we have acknowledged the darkness into which that light has shone?  So, for the next few weeks, I will be doing a series of meditations on John Milton’s staggeringly beautiful epic poem, Paradise Lost.  It is a story of sin and salvation, angels and demons, the creation of the world and, yes, the fall of mankind.  You do not need to have read or even heard of this work in order to listen along.  So don’t feel anxious or guilty about having to do anything–just put your feet up and listen.  If you should find yourself inspired, you can dip your toe in those crystalline poetic waters at your leisure.  I think it happens to be a perfect read for Advent…  This first episode is a general introduction to Milton himself and the poem itself, just a nice little stretch to limber up before the main event.  Happy listening.