Four New Messages by Joshua Cohen Graywolf Press; 208 p. I hesitate to say anything concrete about Joshua Cohen’s new book of somewhat short stories. 4 New Messages contains four new stories that require more than a thorough first read. In fact like many other dense, complex, even avant-garde authors, Cohen’s new book requires numerous readings simply to pin down the plot before we can even discuss his novel use of language or the larger themes and value of this […]
Bachelorette Recaps as Poetry: Leigh Stein
Leigh Stein writes recaps of The Bachelorette (Team Arie!) in the forms of poems. What began as an ironic way to attenuate the guilt and shame in obsessing over a vapid quest for a partner morphed into a clever running commentary on a beloved show that reinforces a classic Romantic conception of Love at the same time that it makes a highly profitable commodity. Somehow, the show tricks us every times into watching two hour episodes, eliciting tears and joy, […]
Haunted Memories and Fractured Families: A Profile of Joseph Riippi
Looking at Joseph Riippi — 6″4, wild hair, hands that eat mine in a handshake and a imposing presence — you would never suspect the sensitive, tender writing that flows from his prodigious mind. Given all of our collective wisdom I should know by now not to conflate the physical and the emotional, I should be aware of the discrepancy between our physicality, largely unchosen, bestowed, and our interior worlds molded by our choices, our experiences, and the choices of […]
Reviewed: “A Masterful Adaptation” of Uncle Vanya at Soho Rep.
As a neophyte to the world of theater, each new performance carries the weight of a revelation. Consequently, as of this moment I cannot even imagine a more gripping, important, and compelling performance than the new adaptation of Uncle Vanya at the ingenious Soho Rep. theater. Director Sam Gold and his crew converted the already intimate space into a fully carpeted living room theater. The audience sits on all sides of similarly carpeted levels with those in the front mere […]
Beach Reads for Intellectuals: Jess Walter’s “Beautiful Ruins,” Reviewed
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter Harper; 352 p. Jess Walter’s new novel, Beautiful Ruins, is an important book that might not make it. With an implacable burst of books, no one can possibly stay on top of everything out there while at the same time attempting to catch up on the classics. How we decide what to read depends so much on taste, but nothing will ruin a book for some more than the title of Great Beach Book. When […]
Retold Stories and the New Sincerity: Andrei Makine’s Novel “The Life of an Unknown Man” Reviewed
The Life of an Unknown Man by Andreï Makine; translated by Gregory Strachan Graywolf Press; 192 p. Andreï Makine, winner of two of France’s most prestigious literary awards, in his newest effort, The Life of an Unknown Man, makes a foray into the world of New Sincerity. Like any school of literature, New Sincerity evades easy categorization, but in the recent literary world, it speaks to writing about genuine struggles with psychological, moral, ideological, and moral issues without cynicism. Moreover, […]
Very Real Things: Joshua Henkin’s “The World Without You” Reviewed
The World Without You By Joshua Henkin Pantheon, 336 p. Sometimes in sports, announcers, or writers refer to a player or a team as putting on a clinic whether in scoring, passing, defense, or tenacity. Regardless of the skill, this idea speaks to a “how to” lesson in the perfection of craft, technique and style. For some reason, this description comes to mind when I think of how to describe Joshua Henkin’s, beautiful new book, The World Without You. To […]
On Slacker Novels and Killing Darlings: Kris D’Agostino
As someone steeped in culture, I try not let another person’s tastes dictate the way I feel towards them. “Oh, Coldplay/Mumford and Sons is your favorite band, that’s so interesting!” Or, “That’s an thought-provoking opinion, thinking Garden State defined the voice of our generation, let me think about that one.” I need to remind myself that cultural choice speaks nothing about character, goodness, or any aspect of a personality. But then I meet someone who enthusiastically endorses my tastes and […]