Essayist Isaac Fitzgerald sees the world from the perspective of someone who was victimized — in his case, by a physically abusive father and a needy, emotionally abusive mother.
Review
Book Review: One More Round with Norman Mailer
In his centennial year, it’s difficult not to see that Norman Mailer’s literary standing is at an inflection point.
Film Review: “Boston Strangler” — Pioneers of Journalism and Feminism
Boston Strangler centers on women journalists who are devalued and must hold their own, demanding safety and justice in a society that doesn’t always deem them worthy of protection.
Classical Concert Review: The Boston Symphony Orchestra Plays Wolfe and Górecki
Brimming with edge-of-seat intensity and fist-waving theatricality, Julia Wolfe’s oratorio “Her Story” is the unequivocal highlight of the current BSO season.
Film Review: “Monster Factory” — Tussling for Stardom
Pro wrestling fans will undoubtedly love how Monster Factory takes them behind the scenes, but even those who have never watched the sport will find the docuseries intriguing.
Book Review: “Dickens and Prince” — Together Again?
The overall thesis of this short book/long essay is that both Charles Dickens and Prince embody a certain kind of rare genius combined with a freakishly inexhaustible work ethic.
Film Review: “Pacifiction” — Paradise Misplaced
A lot seems to be going on beneath the surface, but the surface itself is so beguiling, with the scenery, sea, and sunsets rapturously shot on digital cameras by cinematographer Artur Tort, and with the alternately lulling and agitating soundtrack, that the urgency tends to lapse.
Opera Album Review: A Major Baroque Opera in English Receives a Stylish Recording
Aside from English pronunciation issues, the singers put over this remarkably polished and attractive opera by one of England’s great seventeenth-century composers with great panache, matching the superb instrumentalists.
Children’s Book Review: All About You — Kids’ Books to Build Self-Esteem
While you — as a parent, teacher, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, etc. — decide on your child-rearing approach, let’s help kids feel that they belong, that they are competent, and they have the courage and skills to succeed.
Book Review: “Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History”
Even more impressive than the sheer amount of raw knowledge Bill Janovitz puts on display is the way he expertly elaborates on Leon Russell’s familiar resume highlights to create a full, three-dimensional portrait of a very complicated artist (and person).