Chucky Taylor, Liberia’s Other Monster Chucky Taylor, Liberia’s Other Monster
The fate of Liberia was ensnared by uniquely American pathologies.
Jul 30, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Leaf
Paul Beatty’s Savage Satire Paul Beatty’s Savage Satire
The Sellout takes aim at black middle-class foibles and fantasies.
Jul 30, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Jesse McCarthy
The Most Eccentric New Yorkers and the Writer Who Loved Them The Most Eccentric New Yorkers and the Writer Who Loved Them
Joseph Mitchell and his subjects were “all freaks together.”
Jul 16, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Robert S. Boynton
Trans Sex Workers Seek Comfort and Vengeance in Sean Baker’s ‘Tangerine’ Trans Sex Workers Seek Comfort and Vengeance in Sean Baker’s ‘Tangerine’
Sin-Dee and Alexandra find little solace on the LA streets except in each other.
Jul 16, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
Can We Cure Genetic Diseases Without Slipping Into Eugenics? Can We Cure Genetic Diseases Without Slipping Into Eugenics?
Gene editing could correct genetic mutations for serious illnesses. Will it also create a new eugenics of personal choice?
Jul 16, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Nathaniel Comfort
The NYRB Is Rewriting Tony Judt’s Stance on Israel The NYRB Is Rewriting Tony Judt’s Stance on Israel
Judt called for a just resolution to the conflict, not the preservation of a “Jewish State.”
Jul 14, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Muhammad Idrees Ahmad
The Passivity Project The Passivity Project
In Rachel Cusk’s fiction, the self is suppressed to the point of destruction.
Jul 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Alexandra Schwartz
Patience and Fortitude Patience and Fortitude
Scott Sherman’s masterful history of the fight to save the NYPL.
Jul 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
The 2015 Venice Biennale The 2015 Venice Biennale
Islands of meaning in a morass of incoherence.
Jul 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
70,000 Years of Human History in 400 Pages 70,000 Years of Human History in 400 Pages
Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens and the rise of Deep History.
Jul 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Michael Saler