Pain, as if seen through glass
My review of Cate Kennedy’s new short story collection, Dark Roots, appears in the weekend’s New York Times Book Review. Here’s an excerpt:
A writer, Eudora Welty insisted, must know her characters’ “hearts and minds before they ever set visible foot on stage. You must know all, then not tell it all, or not tell [...]
Marilynne Robinson for Obama
Nick Antosca is tracking writers’ political contributions. If you find more, add ‘em in his comments.
Thursday afternoon Steve Toltz giveaway
So far I’ve read only the first chapter of Steve Toltz’s 544-page first novel, A Fraction of the Whole, but when I get around to unpacking my future-reading pile, the book will be waiting at the top of the box.
Toltz’s narrator begins his story from prison, the morning after a rousing, mattress-burning riot. “It’s [...]
While you are waiting for someone to die
Should those of us who write nonfiction or twist life into fiction invade others’ privacy only after they’re dead?
Wednesday afternoon Mary Swan giveaway
I admit it: I started into Mary Swan’s The Boys in the Trees more out of curiosity than interest. The story of a brutal crime that shocks a 19th-century community and destroys a family, etc., etc. — the description didn’t grab me.
But it seemed so unusual that a novel would bear [...]
The Smart Set: Lauren Cerand’s weekly events
The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled and posted by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30 pm and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to Ms. Cerand at lauren [at] maudnewton.com [...]
Grimbert on secrets, trauma, and truth in fiction
Emma Garman talks with Philippe Grimbert, whose wildly popular novel implies that unspoken trauma is heritable.
Robbe-Grillet passes on
Alain Robbe-Grillet, nouveau roman founder and an early literary hero of mine, has died at 85. (Thanks, Tim.)
Not running on the strength of her words
According to the Clinton campaign, borrowing rhetoric is only plagiarism when Obama does it.
Monday morning Barthelme giveaway
The move approacheth, and the stomach recoileth at the prospect of yet more pizza, potato chips, and oily bodega coffee.
Next week the site will be quiet for the loading and unloading of boxes. This week you may see a handful of new things in the remainders bar, but mostly I’m doing giveaways.
Today’s books — [...]
Khrushcheva, Nabokov, and Westernization
Nina Khrushcheva, granddaughter of the former Soviet leader, publishes a book of reflections on Nabokov.
Coleridge does Goethe
Coleridge denied translating Faust, but scholars believe an anonymous translation bears his unmistakable touch.
On the last native speakers of dying languages
The last native speaker of Eyak died recently in Alaska. See also.
James in Asheville
Henry James, a guest at the Biltmore Estate, wrote Wharton that the place was a gorgeous practical joke.
Fate of Nabokov manuscript still uncertain
Save it, says Banville. Burn it, says Stoppard. Dmitri Nabokov is still holding the match. (Via.)
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