Archive

The Mandates of Magic: On Timeka N. Tounsel’s “Branding Black Womanhood”
What are the mandates of Black Girl Magic? Leigh-Michil George looks at the history of “Essence” magazine and the complicated personal politics of representation in an essay about Timeka N. Tounsel’s “Branding Black Womanhood: Media Citizenship from Black Power to Black Girl Magic.”
Leigh-Michil GeorgeNov 10, 2022
Possibly Related Characters: On Li Zi Shu’s “The Age of Goodbyes”
Jenny Wu reviews Li Zi Shu’s “The Age of Goodbyes,” translated by YZ Chin.
Jenny WuNov 10, 2022
Geraldo Cadava on the 2022 Midterm Elections & 'the Latino Vote'
Nov 10, 2022
The US Academy and the Provincialization of Fanon
Frantz Fanon is a rock star of the American academy 60 years after his death. Here’s why it’s critical that we recognize the influence of the Algerian Revolution on his thought.
Muriam Haleh DavisNov 9, 2022
- History
- Politics
Unexpected Sledgehammer: Noel Ignatiev’s Communist Education
Dylan Davis and Patrick King discuss the impact of Noel Ignatiev on the US labor movement through his books such as “Acceptable Men: Life in the World’s Largest Steel Mill” and “Treason to Whiteness Is Loyalty to Humanity.”
Dylan Davis, Patrick KingNov 9, 2022
To Be Seen Clearly or Not at All: On Ama Codjoe’s “Bluest Nude”
Madeleine Cravens considers “Bluest Nude” by Ama Codjoe.
Madeleine CravensNov 8, 2022
- Poetry
Castle King Side: On Stefan Zweig’s “Chess Story”
Adam Dalva confronts his online chess addiction via Stefan Zweig’s “Chess Story.”
Adam DalvaNov 8, 2022
- Fiction
- Memoir & Essay
Identity Is a Flexible Category: A Conversation with Sorayya Khan
Torsa Ghosal talks with Sorayya Khan about her new memoir, “We Take Our Cities with Us.”
Torsa GhosalNov 7, 2022
- Memoir & Essay
- Nonfiction
Multiculturalism in Middle-earth: On Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
Kathryn Lavezzo discusses “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” J. R. R. Tolkien, and Stuart Hall, tilting toward a critique of whiteness in Tolkien film/tv adaptation.
Kathryn LavezzoNov 7, 2022
- Film
- SF
A Day in Radomsko
A report on Louise Steinman’s book launch in Poland and the larger project of Polish-Jewish reconciliation.
Laurie Winer, Louise SteinmanNov 6, 2022
Doubting Thomas: On Peter Manseau’s “The Jefferson Bible”
Ed Simon reviews Peter Manseau’s “The Jefferson Bible.”
Ed SimonNov 6, 2022
Looking Through These Clippings Was Really Comforting at First: A Conversation with Ashton Politanoff
Liza St. James talks with Ashton Politanoff about his new book “You’ll Like It Here.”
Liza St. JamesNov 5, 2022
- Fiction
Books That Sing: On Justin St. Clair’s “Soundtracked Books from the Acoustic Era to the Digital Age”
Nicholas C. Laudadio reviews Justin St. Clair’s “Soundtracked Books from the Acoustic Era to the Digital Age.”
Nicholas C. LaudadioNov 5, 2022
- Literary Criticism
- Music
Jon Wiener on the Life and Work of Mike Davis, plus Constance Debré’s “Love me Tender”
Jon Wiener on the Life and Work of Mike Davis, plus Constance Debré’s “Love me Tender.”
LARB Radio HourNov 4, 2022
The First Comedian
Jason Crawford discusses the career of Robert Armin, the first modern comedian.
Jason CrawfordNov 4, 2022
- History
- Literary Criticism
Nightmares Worth Indulging: On Feminist Press’s “It Came from the Closet”
Grace Byron reviews “It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror” from Feminist Press and editor Joe Vallese.
Grace ByronNov 4, 2022