New Books Network Adam Bremer-McCollum, "The Pearlsong" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Oct 10, 2025
Adam Bremer-McCollum, a research associate at Harvard's Center for the Study of World Religions, shares insights on his work translating The Pearlsong, a narrative about a child's fantastical journey. He explains its significance in Syriac poetry and its unique bilingual presentation. The conversation dives into the poem's themes of awakening and struggle against dragons, as well as its connections to broader literary traditions. Bremer-McCollum highlights the book's accessibility—available as a free PDF—and its relevance for students and educators alike.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Purpose And Format Of The 4T Series
- The 4T series pairs source texts with new English translations and commentary while offering high-quality printed and free PDF editions.
- Adam Bremer-McCollum designed the series to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries and increase accessibility for scholars and the public.
Publish Both Fine Print And Free PDF
- Offer both a beautiful printed book and a free, well-designed PDF to reach different audiences.
- Use in-house publishing with external distribution to keep costs reasonable and broaden access.
Designing A Tactile, Durable Volume
- Adam personally typeset the book in LaTeX and worked with RDW Printing to produce a sturdy, tactile paperback.
- Each 4T volume will have bespoke covers and durable materials designed to be both portable and attractive.
