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This first novel from Arab-American writer Thérèse Soukar Chehade, who teaches English Language Education at a school in Amherst, Massachusetts, turns out to be a thoughtful family portrait that deals subtly with the variegated experiences of being outsiders in a strange land and the pulls of loss, memory, and desire. Loom by Thérèse Soukar Chehade.…
Read MoreIn practical terms the Virtual Reality helmet has still not lived up to its potential. Another device has come along, however, that can convey as much information, though without the total visual immersion of Virtual Reality. This is nothing other than the humble cell phone . . . By Gary Schwartz. In 1997 I was…
Read MoreWhat does not kill me, makes me stronger. — Friedrich Nietzsche The internet is always an unpredictable neighborhood and sometimes a rough one. The Arts Fuse website crashed (but did not burn) yesterday; after a long day and a half, we’re back up and running smoothly—better and more resilient. The cause of the crash remains…
Read MoreThe highlights of the month include films from Iran, an adult look at married life, an early movie by the criminally underrated director Todd Haynes, and what is billed as the “best Nazi zombie movie ever.” By Justin Marble. Princess Bride and Young Frankenstein. At the Brattle Theatre, January 6. It’s not often that viewers…
Read MoreTwo outstanding Israeli pianists, baritone sax and bass masters, and some fascinating ensemble collaborations highlight the start of 2011.
Read MoreIn this valuable book, Gabriel Josipovici raises radical doubts about the aesthetic and spiritual satisfactions of conventional storytelling as well as the unquestioned values of realism, at one point condemning writers simply content to tell a story “and telling it in such a way as to make readers feel that they are not reading about…
Read MoreWords of solace and insight for the New Year culled by Harvey Blume (Short Fuse)—the sentiments are shared by the rest of the Arts Fuse contributors and editorial staff. This has been a great year for the magazine, and there are exciting developments to come. ========================================= My aim is: to teach you to pass from…
Read MoreWhat An Object of Beauty proves is that while people were fixated on his Hollywood day job, Steve Martin has made himself into a genuine novelist who gives the art world over the last 20 years an exquisitely balanced sort of attention. An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin. Grand Central Publishing,295 pages, $26.99. By…
Read More@Discographies is closer to marketing jingles or consumer guide advice than it is to reviewing—the exercise is fun but limited because it deals with the least valuable part of criticism: the opinion, the verdict. By Bill Marx. Further tongue-in-cheek (?) proof that the traditional conception of arts criticism—that there’s a difference between critical judgment and…
Read MoreI had always thought of January as a musically quiet month, but looking over the concerts I wanted to see, I realized how it is at least as great a month for concertgoing as any other in Boston. I am betting each of the concerts I listed here will be superb. By Susan Miron. January…
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Arts Feature: Best Movies (With Some Disappointments) of 2025