#literary-criticism

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Victor Brombert, Scholar With a Secret Army Past, Dies at 101

Victor Brombert's legacy combines his role as a WWII intelligence officer and his contributions as a renowned literature professor and critic.

How the Western Literary Canon Made the World Worse

Dionne Brand's 'Salvage' critiques classical literature to reveal its complicity in capitalism and colonialism while advocating for a reimagined literary tradition.

In Defense of Lists

Best-of lists are popular but often criticized for bias and predictability in selections.

Stranger than Fiction: Lives of the Twentieth-Century Novel review 100 years of magical thinking

Edwin Frank's exploration of 20th-century novels highlights how literature transformed in response to historical events and changing ideas of identity.

100 Notable Books of 2024

Miranda July's novel explores themes of desire and self-reinvention through unconventional romance during a cross-country trip.

He Bungled the Literary Scoop of the Year. Now He's Ready to Explain Himself.

Cormac McCarthy had a sexual relationship with a teenager that influenced his writing.
#feminism

Sandra M. Gilbert, Co-Author of The Madwoman in the Attic,' Dies at 87

Sandra M. Gilbert's work challenged patriarchal narratives in literature, uncovering female writers' strategies for gaining autonomy.
Her death marks a significant loss for feminist literary criticism.

Sandra Gilbert, co-author of The Madwoman in the Attic, dies aged 87

Sandra Gilbert, influential feminist critic and co-author of 'The Madwoman in the Attic,' has died, leaving a significant legacy in feminist literary criticism.

Sandra M. Gilbert, Co-Author of The Madwoman in the Attic,' Dies at 87

Sandra M. Gilbert's work challenged patriarchal narratives in literature, uncovering female writers' strategies for gaining autonomy.
Her death marks a significant loss for feminist literary criticism.

Sandra Gilbert, co-author of The Madwoman in the Attic, dies aged 87

Sandra Gilbert, influential feminist critic and co-author of 'The Madwoman in the Attic,' has died, leaving a significant legacy in feminist literary criticism.
morefeminism

Literary Assassin

Blurbs in publishing often feel coerced, leading to an ironic mix of praise and criticism, especially for authors navigating literary reputations.
#genres

Is the Twentieth-Century Novel a Genre?

Genres in literature are complex and can be misleading; their definitions often obscure more than they clarify.

Is the Twentieth-Century Novel a Genre?

Literary genres are complex and elusive, challenging the definitions and categories traditionally used in literary criticism.

Is the Twentieth-Century Novel a Genre?

Genres in literature are complex and can be misleading; their definitions often obscure more than they clarify.

Is the Twentieth-Century Novel a Genre?

Literary genres are complex and elusive, challenging the definitions and categories traditionally used in literary criticism.
moregenres
#audre-lorde

"Inheriting the Poetry of Survival": Caleb Ward reviews "Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde" by Alexis Pauline Gumbs (Keywords: Poetry; Biography; Black Feminism)

Alexis Gumbs' 'Survival Is a Promise' reveals the depth of Audre Lorde's early influences and poignantly connects her childhood to her later social critiques.

The Bold New Biography That Gets Audre Lorde Right

Alexis Pauline Gumbs breaks biographical conventions to present a vivid portrayal of Audre Lorde, exploring her life in a rich, layered narrative.

"Inheriting the Poetry of Survival": Caleb Ward reviews "Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde" by Alexis Pauline Gumbs (Keywords: Poetry; Biography; Black Feminism)

Alexis Gumbs' 'Survival Is a Promise' reveals the depth of Audre Lorde's early influences and poignantly connects her childhood to her later social critiques.

The Bold New Biography That Gets Audre Lorde Right

Alexis Pauline Gumbs breaks biographical conventions to present a vivid portrayal of Audre Lorde, exploring her life in a rich, layered narrative.
moreaudre-lorde

Conservative Activist Seizes on Passages From Harris Book

Claims of plagiarism against Kamala Harris's book are minor errors rather than serious misconduct, according to experts.

The Silencing of Sylvia Plath

The importance of textual evidence in discussing Sylvia Plath's life and marriage to Ted Hughes is critical due to past controversies.
Emily Van Duyne's work seeks to accurately portray Plath's experiences of abuse and struggle while navigating motherhood and writing career.

Notework by Simon Reader (Book Review)

Literary texts from the Victorian era have valuable insights in their fragmented elements, challenging traditional reading approaches.

Fredric Jameson Named the System We Are Still Fighting

Fredric Jameson's experience as a Marxist in America reflects the complex and often misunderstood legacy of Philip K. Dick's work.
Dick's early struggles and radical interpretations presage his eventual acclaim as a critical voice against consumerism.

Taking Frantz Fanon at His Word

Fanon's work is often misinterpreted as glorification of violence, overshadowing its deeper anti-colonial significance.

Annihilation by Michel Houellebecq review deepfakes, sex acts and cyber-attacks

Houellebecq's reputation has shifted from prominent author to an increasingly challenged figure in contemporary literature.

How Much of a Book Should I Read Before Giving Up?

Reading should be enjoyable; it's okay to not finish a book if it's not bringing you joy.

Jonathan Lethem's 'Cellophane Bricks' collides art writing with narrative imagination

Jonathan Lethem's latest book, 'Cellophane Bricks: A Life in Visual Culture,' showcases his writings on visual art over four decades.
from www.theguardian.com
4 months ago

Unfinished Zora Neale Hurston novel to be published 65 years after her death

Zora Neale Hurston's final unfinished novel, The Life of Herod the Great, will be published for the first time in January 2025.

Opinion | The Radical Message of Sweet Valley High'

The Sweet Valley High universe, created by Francine Pascal, had a massive impact on readers, especially girls growing up in the 1980s and '90s.
#dodie-smith

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodie Smith was deeply disappointed when her best-selling novel was not received as a literary success, revealing the conflict between middlebrow and highbrow literature.

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodoe Smith's disappointment with her novel's commercial success despite critical acclaim.

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodie Smith felt disappointed and unhappy when her debut novel, I Capture the Castle, became a bestseller, as it was not received as a literary work by critics.

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodie Smith was deeply disappointed when her best-selling novel was not received as a literary success, revealing the conflict between middlebrow and highbrow literature.

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodoe Smith's disappointment with her novel's commercial success despite critical acclaim.

'The Small-Girl's Proust' | Anna Leszkiewicz

Dodie Smith felt disappointed and unhappy when her debut novel, I Capture the Castle, became a bestseller, as it was not received as a literary work by critics.
moredodie-smith

Everyone Wants a Piece of Kafka, a Writer Who Refused to Be Claimed

Kafka's legacy has led to conflicting interpretations by scholars and admirers.
#literature

Percival Everett Can't Be Pinned Down

Percival Everett announces 24th novel, a Huckleberry Finn retelling from Jim's perspective
Everett's ability to challenge assumptions and tackle complex themes in literature

Book as Enemy - The Paris Review

Literature is not reality; fiction should be evaluated separately from real-world implications such as smoking bans.

Percival Everett Can't Be Pinned Down

Percival Everett announces 24th novel, a Huckleberry Finn retelling from Jim's perspective
Everett's ability to challenge assumptions and tackle complex themes in literature

Book as Enemy - The Paris Review

Literature is not reality; fiction should be evaluated separately from real-world implications such as smoking bans.
moreliterature

Why Terry Southern Was "the Most Useful Writer" in America

Terry Southern's satires remain relevant through his countercultural commentary.

'Like Love' guides readers through years of Maggie Nelson's thoughtful work

Maggie Nelson's latest book is a blend of academic and personal essays, presenting a unique approach to scholarship and self-reflection.

Cloud Atlas at 20: What makes a novel tattoo-worthy?

Cloud Atlas is a unique literary work that defies direct comparison to other novels.
The novel is often compared by critics to a diverse range of literary masterpieces, showcasing its complexity and depth.

Percival Everett's Philosophical Twist on "Huckleberry Finn"

Percival Everett's novels challenge conventional literary criticism
Everett's latest novel 'James' explores complex themes through the characters of Jim and Huck
#philip-roth

The Art of Fiction No. 84

Philip Roth seeks criticism and response from a few interested readers during the final stages of writing a novel.
Roth's appearance and manner may come off as subdued and conventional, but underneath lies a ferocious concentration and mental rapacity.

The Art of Fiction No. 84

Philip Roth values criticism and feedback from a few interested readers during the final stages of writing a novel.
Roth's appearance belies a fierce mental concentration and eagerness to engage in rigorous discussions.

The Art of Fiction No. 84

Philip Roth seeks criticism and response from a few interested readers during the final stages of writing a novel.
Roth's appearance and manner may come off as subdued and conventional, but underneath lies a ferocious concentration and mental rapacity.

The Art of Fiction No. 84

Philip Roth values criticism and feedback from a few interested readers during the final stages of writing a novel.
Roth's appearance belies a fierce mental concentration and eagerness to engage in rigorous discussions.
morephilip-roth

How Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life Blew Up BookTok (And Why That's Not a Good Thing)

The idea of writing a bestseller is evolving, with success not always equating to literary merit.
Online discourse questions the literary value of popular BookTok titles like A Little Life.
#lauren-oyler

No Judgement by Lauren Oyler review modish observations from a rarefied world

Lauren Oyler is a well-known American writer and critic, famed for her critical essays and first novel, Fake Accounts.
Oyler's writing style is described as defensive, anxious, and self-congratulatory, with a focus on online culture and the internet.

No Judgement by Lauren Oyler review modish observations from a rarefied world

Lauren Oyler is a prominent American writer and critic known for her unique style and work in publications like the New Yorker.
Her new book 'No Judgement' is an essay collection that is thought-provoking and has the potential to resonate with readers.

No Judgement by Lauren Oyler review modish observations from a rarefied world

Lauren Oyler is a well-known American writer and critic, famed for her critical essays and first novel, Fake Accounts.
Oyler's writing style is described as defensive, anxious, and self-congratulatory, with a focus on online culture and the internet.

No Judgement by Lauren Oyler review modish observations from a rarefied world

Lauren Oyler is a prominent American writer and critic known for her unique style and work in publications like the New Yorker.
Her new book 'No Judgement' is an essay collection that is thought-provoking and has the potential to resonate with readers.
morelauren-oyler

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon' by Rebecca West: A book that no cultured person should ignore

Rebecca West was a well-respected English writer known for her masterpieces in various genres.
She was a fearless individual who did not hesitate to criticize prominent figures like Tolstoy and Strindberg.

Balzac's Paris: The City as Human Comedy by Eric Hazan review street spirit

In 'Balzac's Paris,' Eric Hazan explores the class politics and social geography of Paris through Honore de Balzac's novels, delving into how the city shapes its characters.

Remembering Frederick Crews, retired UC Berkeley English department chair and prominent Freud critic

Fred Crews was a distinguished professor, author, and advocate for rational thinking who made significant contributions to literary criticism and writing education.

The Books The Atlantic Loved-And Hated

Exploring The Atlantic's historical reviews of classic books, reflecting on the longevity of literary judgments and the evolution of criticism.
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