The Closest of Strangers The Closest of Strangers
Tony Kushner's latest play, Caroline, or Change, left me contemplating its curious title, which suggests an indecisive playwright. Why not just Caroline, or simply Change?
Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Baz Dreisinger
A Near Perfect Spy Novelist A Near Perfect Spy Novelist
A year ago now, when the Bush Administration was preparing the world for an American invasion of Iraq, John le Carré wrote a column of scathing, sharp-toothed commentary f...
Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Patrick Smith
A Magical Realist and His Reality A Magical Realist and His Reality
As ways of writing about a past, memoirs and autobiographies, although in practice they may often overlap, are different undertakings.
Jan 8, 2004 / Books & the Arts / Perry Anderson
What Are They Reading? What Are They Reading?
This is a book that should be on every activist's bed table, like Gideon bibles in hotels.
Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Richard Lingeman
The Haunting The Haunting
The likeness of Nathaniel Hawthorne hanging in the AmLit museum resembles the shadowy, fading portrait of a distinguished ancestor.
Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Richard Lingeman
The War of Words The War of Words
Many rhetorical bombshells were lobbed by British and American poets during the political turmoil of the 1930s, but few detonated as loudly as this cluster of words: "Today t...
Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Where Did Our Love Go? Where Did Our Love Go?
One notable casualty of the diplomatic tug-of-war between France and the United States over the American-led invasion and occupation of Iraq has been verbal restraint.
Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Sartarelli
Crimes and Misdemeanors Crimes and Misdemeanors
An indispensable work of art, especially at this moment in our history, Errol Morris's new documentary declares its theme before you even step into the theater. The Fog of ...
Dec 24, 2003 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
What Are They Reading? What Are They Reading?
"People try to be so fussy and particular when they look at politics," observes Zillah, a character in Tony Kushner's 1987 play, A Bright Room Called Day, "but what I think an un...
Dec 22, 2003 / Books & the Arts / William Johnson