The Times‘ Larry Rohter reports on the controversy that has erupted over the details of Roberto Bolaño’s life story. Bolaño himself fostered the idea, enthusiastically embraced by U.S. critics and readers, that he had a heroin habit. But his widow and agent dispute this detail, as do Latin American critics. Julio Ortega, a Peruvian scholar, charged in Spain’s leading daily . . .
Shocking — despite his age, he seemed somehow immortal — but John Updike has died after a battle with lung cancer. (Thanks, David.)
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 by the Thursday prior to . . .
Jamaica Kincaid’s The Estrangement reminds me why my adulation reached such heights, I once named a cat after her. (Full text; thanks, Davis.)