Cultural Criticism and Analysis

Joan Didion’s Long View

Joan Didion’s Long View Joan Didion’s Long View

Her new essay collection, Let Me Tell You What I Mean, captures what about her writing feels at once seductive and illusory.

Jun 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Haley Mlotek

Remembering the Pulse Massacre

Remembering the Pulse Massacre Remembering the Pulse Massacre

On June 12, 2016, a gunman killed 49 and wounded 53 people, during “Latin Night” at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fl.

Jun 14, 2021 / OppArt / Andrea Arroyo

Aretha Fanklin

The Unwritten History of Black Performance The Unwritten History of Black Performance

Poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib’s new book undertakes an ambitious task: contextualizing the scope and scale of a people’s cultural expression.

Jun 10, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Kelton Ellis

Letters Icon

Letters From the June 14/21, 2021, Issue Letters From the June 14/21, 2021, Issue

You don’t say… Facts and fairness… World citizens… The revolutionary spirit… A survivor speaks (web only)…

Jun 1, 2021 / Our Readers and Katha Pollitt

The History of Publishing Is a History of Racial Inequality

The History of Publishing Is a History of Racial Inequality The History of Publishing Is a History of Racial Inequality

A conversation with Richard Jean So about combining data and literary analysis to understand how the publishing industry came to be dominated by white writers. 

May 27, 2021 / Q&A / Rosemarie Ho

Dustin Hoffman And Jon Voight In 'Midnight Cowboy'

Rough Trade, Big City: The Legacy of ‘Midnight Cowboy’ Rough Trade, Big City: The Legacy of ‘Midnight Cowboy’

Glenn Frankel’s new book explores the making of a film that has become almost synonymous with New York City.

May 26, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Adam Nayman

Recent History

Recent History Recent History

Reviewing the year, in stitches.

May 25, 2021 / OppArt / India Tresselt

Is It Time to Abolish Museums? Is It Time to Abolish Museums?

From problematic funders to union-busting, museums around the world have been beset by controversy. Can reform actually change these institutions?

May 25, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Dana Kopel

Spiral Jetty Sculpture In Utah

The Roving Mind of Rachel Kushner The Roving Mind of Rachel Kushner

Her new collection of nonfiction—exploring life, death, motorcycles, land art, experimental film and much more—is exhilarating.

May 24, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Jennifer Schaffer-Goddard

Why Critics Need to Let Their Guard Down

Why Critics Need to Let Their Guard Down Why Critics Need to Let Their Guard Down

A conversation with Larissa Pham about desire, the politics of vulnerability, and practicing a more generous form of criticism.

May 19, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Chalay Chalermkraivuth

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