Rot as Rapture, Filth as Rebellion Rot as Rapture, Filth as Rebellion
In Ottessa Moshfegh’s first full-length novel, the allure of dissolution is that it demands nothing.
Oct 15, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Katie Ryder
Vagrancy in the Park Vagrancy in the Park
The essence of Wallace Stevens: Roses, roses. Fable and dream. The pilgrim sun.
Oct 15, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Susan Howe
Nobel Prize Laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s Oral Histories Are Chronicles of the Future Nobel Prize Laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s Oral Histories Are Chronicles of the Future
In her cantos of loss readers feel a sense of communion, of a shared humanity in the face of horror.
Oct 9, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Andrew Meier
How Patti Smith, Punk Chanteuse, Became the Irresistible Siren of Middle Age How Patti Smith, Punk Chanteuse, Became the Irresistible Siren of Middle Age
Her latest memoir, M Train, feels guided simultaneously by determination and serendipity.
Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach
Jonathan Franzen Withdraws Jonathan Franzen Withdraws
Why are the agonized liberals in Purity so skeptical of political conviction?
Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Jon Baskin
Who Talks Like That? Who Talks Like That?
The Narrows is strips of yellow and jade, Verrazano Bridge silver, horizontal lines, here; and here, someone alone, afraid, crying, sad, sunken eyes, emaciated body; and, here, the…
Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Lawrence Joseph
The Good, the Bad, and the Veteran The Good, the Bad, and the Veteran
Problem-solving will only get liars and filmmakers so far.
Oct 8, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
Literature as Map to Liberty Literature as Map to Liberty
In John Keene’s ambitious new volume of stories, resistance is required because exile isn’t an option.
Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ben Ehrenreich
A Stage Across the Sea A Stage Across the Sea
An unjustly-neglected Libyan novelist captured the twisted logic of colonialism, past and present.
Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Ursula Lindsey
Why Has Criticism of the Whitney Been Unmoored? Why Has Criticism of the Whitney Been Unmoored?
It shouldn’t be surprising that the museum’s new building looks most like… a building.
Oct 1, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Michael Sorkin