Good writing can take its inspiration from almost anything, from true-life experiences to speculation to riffs on objects and scenarios encountered in passing to the culture we encounter every day. The two chapbooks covered in today’s column take inspiration from wildly disparate topics. One is written in a reflexive voice, surrounding its point of origin and corresponding with it in numerous ways; the other takes the stuff of classical works — seasons, romance — and channels it through an abrupt, […]
Afternoon Bites: The Making of “Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah,” John Jeremiah Sullivan on Frederick Seidel, Nathan Deuel, Michael Gira Interviewed, and More
Tobi Vale on the making of Bikini Kill’s Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, Nathan Rabin on a cinematic Dostoyevsky adaptation, John Jeremiah Sullivan on Frederick Seidel, interviews with Jen Doll, Michael Gira, and Warren Ellis, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Jen Doll Interviewed, Eileen Myles Poetry, Silkworm Reissued, Valeria Luiselli, and More
Poems from Eileen Myles, talking weddings with Jen Doll, notes on the Silkworm reissue, thoughts on Ivan Vladislavić and literary curmudgeons, and more.
Afternoon Bites: John Jeremiah Sullivan, Mary Harron’s Films, “The Worn Archive,” Wedding Stories, and More
The director of True Detective will adapt Tom Reiss’s The Black Count, thoughts on Jen Doll’s Save the Date, new writing from John Jeremiah Sullivan, annotating Eric Nelson, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Shirley Jackson’s Final Novel, Tony Molina’s Pop Songs, Jen Doll, Grandmaster Flash, and More
This afternoon: a look back at Shirley Jackson’s final novel, Jen Doll revisits Father of the Bride, Tony Molina talks about his songwriting approach, and more.
Morning Bites: Ukrainian Literature, Jen Doll Excerpt, Mod NYC, Emily Gould Interviewed, and More
This morning: Alexander Chee on The Goldfinch, news of Sean H. Doyle’s book, Emily Gould interviewed, a playlist from Caryn Rose, an excerpt from Jen Doll’s upcoming Save the Date, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Murakami’s Jazz Club, Chris Abani, Watching the Pixies, Richard Ayoade’s Dostoevsky Adaptation, and More
This afternoon: Roxane Gay on Jenny Offill’s new novel, visiting the site of Haruki Murakami’s jazz club, a trailer for a new Dostoevsky adaptation, watching the Pixies when sick, and more.