This review concerns two different texts: Carmilla, a novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, serialized in 1871-2, and the edited, introduced text of Carmilla, published in paperback by Lanternfish Press this month. The second text encloses the first, but the two remain distinct. Carmilla’s editor for its new release is Carmen Maria Machado, whose blazing reputation illuminates the 150-year-old text, and whose canny notes on Carmilla make the reading experience at once more playful and more mysterious than it would otherwise be. Both texts are intriguing and resonant, even if they never do entirely mesh into one.
Afternoon Bites: Carmen Maria Machado, Valeria Luiselli’s Latest, J. David Osborne, Revisiting “UHF,” and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Carmen Maria Machado, thoughts on books by Valeria Luiselli and J. David Osborne, and more.
Vol.1 Brooklyn’s April 2019 Book Preview
Rumor has it that it’s now springtime. And while we’re tempted to volley forth a “spring cleaning? more like spring reading, am I right?”-level salvo, it may be the wiser course of action to simply make with the book recommendations. And thus, here were go, with April’s notable titles encompassing everything from fictional trips into the uncanny to nonfiction that may bring clarity to a frustrating world. Here are some of the books that have caught our eye this month.
Afternoon Bites: Samanta Schweblin, Carmen Maria Machado Interviewed, Eugene Lim Fiction, Dani Shapiro, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Samanta Schweblin and Carmen Maria Machado, thoughts on the new Pedro the Lion album, and more.
Weekend Bites: Samanta Schweblin’s Latest, Ursula K. Le Guin, Laura Adamczyk Interviewed, Carmen Maria Machado’s Recommendations, and More
In our weekend reading: thoughts on Samanta Schweblin’s new collection, an interview with Laura Adamczyk, and much more.
Afternoon Bites: Jen Doll’s Latest, Kiese Laymon Interviewed, Nicole Chung, Lucinda Williams Revisited, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Jen Doll and Nicole Chung, thoughts on the new Kinski album, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Ottessa Moshfegh Interviewed, Jordy Rosenberg, Masha Gessen Nonfiction, Stefan Zweig, and More
In our afternoon reading: interviews with Ottessa Moshfegh and Jordy Rosenberg, adapting Stefan Zweig for the screen, and more.
Morning Bites: Carmen Maria Machado Fiction, Michelle Tea, Porochista Khakpour’s Memoir, Revisiting Sherwood Anderson, and More
In our morning reading: new writing by Carmen Maria Machado and Michelle Tea, thoughts on Porochista Khakpour’s memoir, and more.