A Hero for Our Time A Hero for Our Time
Critics have been trumpeting Benjamin Kunkel as the voice of his generation. But his first novel, Indecision, about a 28-year-old empty vessel, is little more than an empty vessel...
Oct 6, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Mark Lotto
The Blank Verses The Blank Verses
A Rick Moody novel is generally about one thing and that is Rick Moody's ability to write very long, occasionally graceful sentences.
Sep 22, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Christine Smallwood
Rushdie’s Receding Talent Rushdie’s Receding Talent
It has almost become a sadness to review a novel by Salman Rushdie. Shalimar the Clown is no exception.
Sep 15, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Lee Siegel
Zadie Smith’s Indecision Zadie Smith’s Indecision
It can't be easy to rein in a writer as successful as Zadie Smith. Her new novel, On Beauty, proves it's almost impossible.
Sep 15, 2005 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz
Love and Betrayal in Colonial Africa Love and Betrayal in Colonial Africa
Abdulrazak Gurnah's seventh book, Desertion, revisits the theme of exile and expands it to relationships---between lovers, between families, between countries.
Sep 8, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Laila Lalami
It’s a Man’s, Man’s World It’s a Man’s, Man’s World
Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men seems designed as a calculated assault on the reader.
Aug 25, 2005 / Books & the Arts / William Deresiewicz
The Heart of the Matter The Heart of the Matter
Graham Greene remains a compelling figure in this moment of moral bankruptcy.
Jun 23, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Matt Steinglass
Reflections on the Body Politic Reflections on the Body Politic
Novelist David Grossman discusses Israel and the role of politics in his writing.
Jun 23, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Mark Sorkin
Invisible Republic Invisible Republic
Siddhartha Deb's second novel follows an Indian journalist on an elusive search for meaning.
May 26, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Shashi Tharoor
Kindred Spirits Kindred Spirits
Michael Cunningham delivers a historical/noir/sci-fi novel haunted by 9/11 and Walt Whitman.
May 26, 2005 / Books & the Arts / Maria Margaronis