The Impossible Story of Communism The Impossible Story of Communism
How do you tell the history of a global movement in all its hope and contradiction?
Nov 26, 2024 / Books & the Arts / David A. Bell
The Discontents of Michel Houellebecq The Discontents of Michel Houellebecq
What happened to the French novelist?
Nov 25, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Cole Stangler
The Perils of a Post-Racial Utopia The Perils of a Post-Racial Utopia
In Nicola Yoon’s One of Our Kind, a dystopian novel of a Black upper-class suburb’s secrets, she examines the dangers of choosing exceptionalism over equality.
Nov 21, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
Why Americans Are Obsessed With Poor Posture Why Americans Are Obsessed With Poor Posture
A recent history of the 20th-century movement to fix slouching questions the moral and political dimensions of addressing bad backs over wider public health concerns.
Nov 20, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Zoe Adams
Slavery in an Age of Emancipation Slavery in an Age of Emancipation
Robin Blackburn’s sweeping history of slavery and freedom in the 19th century.
Nov 19, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Manisha Sinha
Thomas Müntzer’s Misunderstood Revolution Thomas Müntzer’s Misunderstood Revolution
A recent biography of the German preacher and leader of the Peasants’s War examines what remains radical about the short-lived rebellion he led.
Nov 19, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Matt Broomfield
Is It Possible to Suspend Disbelief at Ayad Akhtar’s AI Play? Is It Possible to Suspend Disbelief at Ayad Akhtar’s AI Play?
The Robert Downey Jr.–starring McNeal, which was possibly cowritten with the help of AI, is a showcase for the new technology’s mediocrity.
Nov 14, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Rhoda Feng
Possibility, Force, and BDSM: A Conversation With Chris Kraus and Anna Poletti Possibility, Force, and BDSM: A Conversation With Chris Kraus and Anna Poletti
The two writers discuss the challenges of writing about sex, loneliness, and the new ways novels can tackle BDSM.
Nov 13, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Chris Kraus
Lore Segal’s Stubborn Optimism Lore Segal’s Stubborn Optimism
In her life and work, she moved through the world with a disarming blend of youthful curiosity and daring intelligence.
Nov 12, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Michele Moses
The Sheer Gusto of Jane DeLynn The Sheer Gusto of Jane DeLynn
1982’s In Thrall was a magnificent piece of queer fiction, at once comic and courageous.
Nov 11, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Colm Tóibín