City of Refuge
In his new novel, Tom Piazza vividly describes the few days before and after Hurricane Katrina wrought mayhem on New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
Robert Birnbaum
For the Thrill of It
Simon Baatz illuminates Leopold and Loeb’s senseless murder and the trial that followed—that captured a nation’s attention.
Constructive Self-Criticism
In praise of Joe Bageant, who joins the favored ranks of renegades, skeptics, and dissidents.
High Wire
On a new story from Robert Stone—an important publishing event if ever there were one.
A Partisan’s Daughter
Louis De Bernières’s new novel confirms suspicions of his narrative gifts. In a good way.
Elizabeth Strout
Our man in Boston sits down with author Elizabeth Strout to talk about Maine, her latest novel, and the plights of the modern writer. Now with audio excerpts.
Live Forever
Stumbling across a note from Kurt Vonnegut’s daughter is a reminder of the genius we lost and the genius we gained.
Anthology 101
Year after year, more genres and formats are added to the heap of writing compilations—here’s a look at the best of the first of this year’s lists.
André Kertész: On Reading
First published in 1971 and long out of print, these photos of people caught in the act of reading is reborn in a handsome new edition curated by Robert Gurbo.
Collections of Nothing
William Davies King meditates on the impulse to accumulate, offering a thoughtful and jargon-free rumination on existence and human interaction.