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Fault Lines

What our editors can’t stop thinking about, from cultural research and reporting to political commentary and coverage of current events.

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  Sounds of Freedom: The Biden Years On-Screen, Part Three

  The third installment of ‘The Biden Years On-Screen’ considers the cinematic fallout of cancel culture, the overruling of Roe v. Wade, and the 2022 midterm elections.

  Brendan Boyle, Adam NaymanJan 21

  • Film

  • Television

  • Politics

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  MAGA as Fan Fiction

  On America’s runaway Story Drive.

  Gideon JacobsJan 18

  • Politics

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  Science on Ice

  Neil Shubin’s stories of polar exploration tell us about the losses ahead.

  Marissa GrunesJan 13

  • Science & Technology

  • Environment

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  Energy from Heaven, Not from Hell

  Bill McKibben makes the case for combating the climate crisis by transitioning from fossil fuels to solar power.

  Miyo McGinnJan 5

  • Science & Technology

  • Environment

Vantage Points

Long-form views on literature, art, and experience from LARB’s online magazine and print Quarterly.

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  Toward a More Creative Vampirism

  Radu Jude’s ‘Dracula’ shines sunlight on the vampirism of cinematic AI and the ways studios have bled the vampire IP dry.

  Ryan BedsaulJan 26

  • Film

  • Cultural Studies

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  Outward Signs of Inner Mysteries

  Eric Gudas on the work and afterlife of the misunderstood photographer Diane Arbus.

  Eric GudasJan 5

  • Art & Architecture

• 

  Designing Feminism or Fascism?

  Harley Wong on fashion designer Dilara Findikoglu’s ‘Cage of Innocence’ presentation in light of Edith Wharton’s fiction.

  Harley WongDec 29, 2025

  • Cultural Studies

  • Gender & Sexuality

• 

  Mug Shot Matriarchy

  Jake Flanagin examines how reality TV juggernaut Bravo and its ‘Real Housewives’ spin criminality into character development—and ratings gold.

  Jake FlanaginDec 28, 2025

  • Television

  • Cultural Studies

Short Takes

Brief dispatches from L.A.’s arts and culture scenes. Courtesy of LARB’s local columnists and occasional correspondents.

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  Hail, Caesar

  Friends, Romans, countrymen: Nathan Jefferson lends his ears (and eyes) to the immersive “Julius Caesar” production at Heritage Square Museum.

  Nathan JeffersonMay 8, 2025
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  The Whole Idea of Knowing the Truth

  Elizabeth Barton trawls through the newly opened Joan Didion archives at New York Public Library to learn about the making of the author’s first book.

  Elizabeth BartonApr 30, 2025
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  Jackpot!

  “Nothing is clearly defined” in Julia Yerger’s art exhibition, which Keith J. Varadi finds to be a big win.

  Keith J. VaradiMar 17, 2025
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  My Date at the Holocaust Ballet

  Dorie Chevlen attends “Memoryhouse,” an abstract, cinematic performance that still managed to dance around comparisons to contemporary injustices.

  Dorie ChevlenFeb 12, 2025

View all Short Takes

LARB Radio Hour

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  Caroline Fraser's 'Murderland'

  Caroline Fraser talks about her new book Murderland, which takes an ecological lens to serial killers, and finds a connection between PNW plants and killers like Ted Bundy

  LARB Radio HourJan 16

  • LARB Radio Hour

• 

  Susan Orlean's 'Joyride: A Memoir'

  Susan Orlean joins the podcast to talk about her new book 'Joyride: A Memoir,' her literary career, and the state of journalism today

  LARB Radio HourJan 9
• 

  Sally Mann’s 'Art Work: On the Creative Life'

  We revisit our episode with photographer and writer Sally Mann about her book, "Art Work: On the Creative Life."

  LARB Radio HourJan 2

  • LARB Radio Hour

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  Special Show: Jenny Slate and Sarah Manguso

  LARB Radio HourDec 26, 2025

  • LARB Radio Hour

View all Radio Hour episodes