In our afternoon reading: thoughts on the work of Scholastique Mukasonga, an interview with Thomas Kendall, and more.
VCO: Chapter 10
Chapter 10
With my hands unrestrained I trace the names scratched in the black leather upholstery by former passenger’s fingernails.
The cop opens the door for me to get out.
He rolls down his window, I can’t see it, but I can hear it. My back to him, I hear him say, “Hey, kid—ub-uh— Mr. Defoe. You, uh. You sure you’re okay?”
Morning Bites: Kim Gordon’s Latest, Terese Svoboda’s Playlist, Kristen Arnett on Blurbs, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on Kim Gordon’s new album, a playlist from Terese Svoboda, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Vinson Cunningham’s Novel, John Cale’s Songs, Revisiting “Silent Movie,” and More
In our afternoon reading: thoughts on Vinson Cunningham’s new novel, an interview with J Mascis, and more.
Written in the Stars
Written in the Stars
by Richard Scott Larson
I’m in Red Cloud looking at the stars. Hours after dark, the Nebraska prairie just south of town sweeps out toward faint distant lights marking the horizon below the glittering night sky. The darkness at this late hour seems flattened to the ground and cowering from the enormity of the cosmos, our bodies just shadows to each other as we crane our necks and try to see it all at once: the Milky Way and the Big Dipper looming over the whispering grasses, Cassiopeia on her throne. One shooting star, and then another. Someone finds Venus hanging low in the distance and each of us turns to look as we brace our bodies against a cold wind.
Morning Bites: Lauren Oyler’s Essays, Tournament of Books Begins, Kate Zambreno Interviewed, and More
In our morning reading: thoughts on Lauren Oyler’s new collection, an interview with Kate Zambreno, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Natasha Pulley’s Latest, Eccentric Soul Returns, Michele Herman on Selling Books, and More
In our afternoon reading: an excerpt from Natasha Pulley’s new novel, an interview with Amy Lin, and more.
Adapting Barry Gifford’s “Night People” Into Comics
It’s been over 30 years since the publication of Barry Gifford’s novel Night People — a book which David Lynch once optioned for film, which ultimately led to their collaboration on Lost Highway. This year will see Gifford’s novel adapted into a very different medium. A collaboration with co-writer Chris Condon and artist Brian Level, the first issue — from publisher Oni Press — will be in stores on March 6. Among the artists contributing covers to the project are J.H. Williams III, Joëlle Jones, and Jacob Phillips.