A Biting Satire of the Art World’s Monstrousness
Ella Baxter’s new novel explores why creative genius so often seems to be at odds with being a good person.
Book Review
A Novel That Disrupts a Fundamental Law of the Universe
In Solvej Balle’s new series, the concept of a time loop is more than a gimmick; it’s a way of rethinking human existence.
America Needs to Radically Rethink What It Means to Be Old
As 100-year lifespans become more common, the time has come for a new approach to school, work, and retirement.
Victims of Violence Don’t Owe the Public Anything
Omar Khalifah’s debut novel resists the demand placed on those who have experienced historical atrocities to tell their stories.
The Sense That Most Defines a Culture
Yáng Shuāng-zǐ’s Taiwan Travelogue shows how colonization shapes a country’s culinary landscape.
In Search of a Faith Beyond Religion
Scholastique Mukasonga’s Sister Deborah suggests that some people must look outside the traditional bounds of Christianity to find true spiritual freedom.
Richard Price’s Radical, Retrograde Novel
In Lazarus Man, he rejects the tropes of contemporary literature.
A Precise, Cutting Portrayal of Societal Misogyny
In her new book, Cho Nam-Joo captures both the universality of sexism and the specificity of women’s experiences.
The Magic Mountain Saved My Life
When I was young and adrift, Thomas Mann’s novel gave me a sense of purpose. Today, its vision is startlingly relevant.
The Virtue of Being Forgotten
A new book argues that privacy is the key to a meaningful existence.