It’s always daunting to talk with a writer who’s made a significant impact on you. Given that John Freeman’s How to Read a Novelist had a seismic effect on the way that I write about books, the opportunity to talk with Freeman about his new novella Hit and Run was both enticing and imposing. Thankfully, Freeman was a warm and engaging conversationalist, and I was happy to talk to him about this new book, which follows a character not unlike Freeman who witnesses a horrific incident and finds his life shifting in its aftermath.
Morning Bites: Mia Couto Interviewed, Philip Roth Festival, Robin Coste Lewis on Poetry, and More
In our morning reading: interviews with Mia Couto and Robin Coste Lewis, a playlist from Matthew Vollmer, and more.
“All Art is Borne of Desperation”: An Interview With Elisa Albert
Human Blues, the complex fourth novel from Elisa Albert, tells the story of an indie rocker through nine menstrual cycles, as she tries to get pregnant. By her side, keeping her warm and spiritually alive through the labyrinth of doctors and unsolicited advice, is none other than the spirit of Amy Winehouse. This plot and structure alone made it a radical read. But Albert goes deeper. In the singular voice of Aviva Rosner, one worthy of Mickey Sabbath, Albert takes on the foundations of our society: the mythologies of motherhood, the industrial fertility complex, medical hubris, and the barren spiritual landscape. In a voice and style all her own: at once kind, wise, scathing but always funny, Albert has created a story that will challenge all you hold dear. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss everything from IVF, the Dobbs ruling, Taharat HaMishpacha, and trying out for Rent, among other juicy topics.
Ari M. Brostoff’s “Missing Time” and the Discourse We Need
I came to Ari M. Brostoff’s essay collection Missing Time in a circuitous manner — but given the subtly all-encompassing manner in which Brostoff writes about various subjects, that seems fitting. I’m a regular listener of the podcast Know Your Enemy, and Brostoff was the guest a few months ago for an episode that included discussion of some conservative thinkers who’d come of age on the Left — and in which Brostoff showcased their knowledge of Vivian Gornick’s work. I was impressed with Brostoff’s breadth of knowledge and ordered Missing Time later that night.
Morning Bites: Isabel Yap Interviewed, Kate Durbin, Literary Biographies, Rudimentary Peni, and More
In our morning reading: an interview with Isabel Yap, thoughts on literary biographies, and more.
Weekend Bites: Julien Baker Interviewed, Philip Roth, Joe Strummer Revisited, Rone Shavers, and More
In our weekend reading: interviews with Julien Baker and Rone Shavers, thoughts on the music of Joe Strummer, and more.
Afternoon Bites: María José Ferrada Interviewed, Isabel Yap’s Latest, Philip Roth Revisited, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with María José Ferrada, writers on choices, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Benjamin Taylor, Janice Lee Nonfiction, Kate Zambreno, Revisiting Elliott Smith, and More
In our afternoon reading: thoughts on books by Benjamin Taylor and Kate Zambreno, new writing by Janice Lee, and more.