If, as Virginia Woolf suggested, visits to an author’s home ought to be condemned as sentimental journeys, seeking information about a favorite writer’s diet must be the lowest form of literary boondoggle. I have some sympathy for this line of reasoning. After all, knowing Emily Dickinson’s black cake recipe doesn’t get you closer to the ultimate meaning of her poems. . . .
Oh frabjous day! James Hynes is blogging. His first post is about the new animated Beowulf in 3-D.
The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30pm 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 lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to publication, with the date in the . . .
Finally someone other than Eagleton, Mishra & Lalami is calling Martin Amis on his crazy-uncle Islamophobia. (Via.)
Diane Roberts wants to know why Florida won’t honor its literary history & induct Harry Crews into the state Hall of Fame. (See also.)