The Partisan Reviewer The Partisan Reviewer
In two recent essay collections, Tim Parks explores why we bother with reading and writing books.
Jul 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Becca Rothfeld
What Rebecca Schiff Knows What Rebecca Schiff Knows
Her most obvious forebear in minimalist stories is Lydia Davis. But Schiff is certainly charting her own path.
Jun 17, 2016 / Erin Vanderhoof
Stephen O’Connor Dreams of Thomas Jefferson Stephen O’Connor Dreams of Thomas Jefferson
Even as it condemns Jefferson for his immoral conduct, O’Connor’s novel still holds him up as a hero.
May 20, 2016 / Erin Vanderhoof
A Blues for Albert Murray A Blues for Albert Murray
His name was never household familiar. Yet his complex, mind-opening analysis of art and life remains as timely as ever—probably more so.
May 16, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Thomas Chatterton Williams
Don DeLillo’s American Dream Don DeLillo’s American Dream
His recent protagonists dream only of money, except perhaps for the technological advances that will allow them to go on acquiring it indefinitely.
May 11, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Jon Baskin
What Is It Good For? What Is It Good For?
In his new story collection, Luke Mogelson demonstrates that American soldiers fight for someone, and something, other than the reasons you hear.
Apr 29, 2016 / Alina Cohen
Callan Wink’s New West and Old Feelings Callan Wink’s New West and Old Feelings
In Dog Run Moon, disaster strikes everyone, even those who are right living.
Apr 19, 2016 / Erin Vanderhoof
The Need of the Forgotten The Need of the Forgotten
The novelist and poet Carmen Boullosa talks about her obsession with lost stories and found textual objects, and how rereading gives books new faces.
Apr 8, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Bady
Her Name Is Lucy Barton Her Name Is Lucy Barton
For all the plot devices that novelist Elizabeth Strout uses, My Name Is Lucy Barton’s successes rest on the protagonist’s voice.
Mar 22, 2016 / Erin Vanderhoof
Jacqueline Susann’s Queer Feminism Jacqueline Susann’s Queer Feminism
How does Valley of the Dolls actually hold up as a read 50 years later?
Feb 26, 2016 / Tim Murphy