Books

Literary Appreciation: Grace Paley and the Swiveling Light of Truth

December 13, 2022
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An homage to Grace Paley, one of the great American writers of the 20th century.

Poetry Review: Henry Walters’s “The Nature Thief” — Memorable Verbal Acrobatics

December 12, 2022
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The poems in this remarkable collection lead us, as all good literature should do, after all the appearances and misdirections, feints and antic dispositions, to nothing but ourselves.

Translator Interview: John Taylor on Philippe Jaccottet

December 8, 2022
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“We have entered an age of unequivocal partisan discourse, of linguistic robotization, of tiny symbols standing for complex emotions. In total contrast to this, Philippe Jaccottet’s writing constantly shows nuance, attentiveness, perseverance, circumspection, and a genuine quest for essential truths.”

Book Review: “Jimi” — Hendrix’s Life in a Beautifully Designed Art Book

December 8, 2022
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Jimi’s sister and a Newton-based Hendrix scholar dig into the archives and come up with a coffee table book that celebrates the rock icon.

Short Fuse Podcast #58: Breath, Suspended

December 7, 2022
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In this episode of the podcast, Elizabeth Howard talks to poets Diane Alters and Edward Hirsch about the ways we think about grief, publicly and privately.

Book Review: “Barred: Why the Innocent Can’t Get Out of Prison” — Blind Justice

December 6, 2022
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Daniel S. Medwed demonstrates just how astronomical the odds are against anyone who tries to question a guilty verdict, no matter how suspect the conviction.

Arts Commentary: Annie Ernaux, Abortion, and Me

December 6, 2022
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What is literature if it doesn’t kick you in the ass every now and then and get you to act? Maybe that’s what the Nobel committee thought when it awarded Annie Ernaux this year’s Literature Prize.

Poetry Review: “One Hundred Visions of War” — Haiku in No Man’s Land

December 1, 2022
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This is a grim and uncomfortable book to read because it forces us to contemplate each small poem separately and then take them all together, a hard but necessary exercise.

Book Review: Exile, Violence, and Cunning — Two Russian Authors After the Invasion of Ukraine

November 25, 2022
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“It’s easy to see why we have such a lousy life and such great literature.”

Book Review: “Charlie’s Good Tonight” — A Rare Gift of Groove

November 20, 2022
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Charlie’s Good Tonight does a fine job of illuminating Charlie Watts’ personality and paying homage to the drummer’s admirable legacy.

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