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 event’s date in . . .
From the James Hynes archives: “What stands between John Crowley and a serious literary reputation?”
The Japanese government plans to open the country’s imperial tombs. Marie Mockett wonders whether the things inside will undermine textbook history.
Earlier this week, The Elegant Variation mentioned a new Primo Levi story, “Bear Meat.” Evidently it’s one of 17 works of fiction that appear in the forthcoming A Tranquil Star: Unpublished Stories of Primo Levi and were first published in Italian between 1949 and 1986. If you’re unfamiliar with Levi, read up at The Modern Word site. I’m especially partial . . .
Just before Xmas, Bush issued another signing statement, this time “declar[ing] his right to open people’s mail under emergency conditions.” See also.