A weekly appreciation for the art of the review.

“It’s odd, in a book so preoccupied with Jewish suffering, that the only trauma portrayed with a straight face is the break up of a casual dating relationship and the fear of being alone as a bachelor on a big expensive couch in a New York apartment.”

Christian Lorentzen on Nathan Englander’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank at London Review of Books.

“The only thing close to transcendence was Eddie Van Halen’s moment alone onstage.”

Sasha Frere-Jones goes to see the reunited Van Halen. 

“It’s so tempting to make fun of idealists.”

Sara Marcus reviews Lauren Groff’s Arcadia for NPR. 

In addition to her classical liberal views, Manji adds religious flair. She articulates ideals from the perspective of a believer within the tradition who wants to give others the chance for an authentically personal and loving relationship with God.

Omar Sultan Haque Allah looks at Liberty and Love: The Courage to Reconcile Faith and Freedom by Irshad Manji for The New Republic.

“Ivy knows her way around an IUD, it’s not like she’s from Iowa.”

Rachel Shukert recaps Smash for Vulture. 

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