The handwritten divisions on James Baldwin’s synposis of Crying Holy, the draft novel that evolved into Go Tell It on the Mountain, offer a look at his early thoughts about structure. The page pictured above is the first of four; you can find the rest — and much, much more — in the online offerings of Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book . . .
Greg Ames, author of one of my favorite short stories, will soon see his first novel, Buffalo Lockjaw, launched into the world. Can’t wait.
Jessa Crispin offers an appreciation of the reissued The Sailor from Gibraltar, by Marguerite Duras, at NPR. (More Duras: 1, 2, 3.)
For the fifth year running, I judged a match for The Morning News’ Tournament of Books. This time the contenders are Roberto Bolañ’s 2666 and Louis de Bernières’ A Partisan’s Daughter. If you disagree with the call, you’re not alone. Commiserate in the comments.
Mark Salter wonders why some of the greatest Irish writers are completely unknown in the States.