A Poet Undone A Poet Undone
Poetry defeats poems. Beguiled by this decorous paradox, Ben Lerner’s "The Hatred of Poetry" evades the art’s difficulty and strangeness.
Sep 22, 2016 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices Svetlana Alexievich’s Voices
At a time when populism is in vogue, the Nobel Laureate has gone in the opposite direction. We need to read her and listen to the people she hears.
Jul 6, 2016 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Patience and Fortitude Patience and Fortitude
Scott Sherman’s masterful history of the fight to save the NYPL.
Jul 2, 2015 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
In Mardin In Mardin
Among the Kurds in southeastern Turkey.
Sep 9, 2014 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
In Our Orbit In Our Orbit
Victor Navasky’s "The Art of Controversy: Political Cartoons and their Enduring Power"
May 15, 2013 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Elizabeth Bishop's "Poems "and" Prose"; James Gleick's "The Information."
Apr 27, 2011 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Sounds and Sweet Airs: Introducing Lyric Nation Sounds and Sweet Airs: Introducing Lyric Nation
A new audio dossier features poets who have been published in "The Nation" reading selections of their work.
Mar 28, 2011 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Merrill Gilfillan’s "The Bark of the Dog" and "The Warbler Road"; Tony Judt’s "The Memory Chalet."
Jan 27, 2011 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom", Robert Darnton's "Poetry and the Police", Jeremy Harding's "Mother Country"
Oct 27, 2010 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Ruth Harris's "Dreyfus"; Deborah Amos's "Eclipse of the Sunnis".
Sep 2, 2010 / Books & the Arts / John Palattella