Archive

“Merton of the Movies” by Harry Leon Wilson
Later adapted into multiple films and plays, this essential classic follows a small-town man on his journey to Hollywood fame. Check out our Spring 2020 pick for the LARB Book Club: “Merton of the Movies” by Harry Leon Wilson.
Apr 2, 2020
Wake Me for the Apocalypse: On Ross Douthat’s “The Decadent Society”
Ross Douthat thinks we’re all sunk, but can’t explain when and how the end of days is going to arrive.
Joseph HoganApr 1, 2020
- Politics
An Entertaining Hodgepodge: On “Odd Partners”
A showcase volume of new stories from the Mystery Writers of America.
Jervey TervalonApr 1, 2020
- Noir
The Monthly Digest: April 2020
This month we at LARB created space for our contributors to share their thoughts on the enormous challenge facing our species.
Apr 1, 2020
Sade, Too: A New Moment for a Complex Monster
A newly translated work by the Marquis de Sade has much to say about our power-mad, wealth-saturated times.
John Galbraith SimmonsApr 1, 2020
55 Voices for Democracy: Heike Paul
Heike Paul discusses the history and role of women in American democracy.
Heike PaulApr 1, 2020
Sisterhood Reunion: On Terry McMillan’s “It’s Not All Downhill From Here”
Trisha R. Thomas reviews the new novel from Terry McMillan, “It’s Not All Downhill From Here.”
Trisha R. ThomasMar 31, 2020
- Fiction
What Greta Gerwig Got Right: Rethinking Amy March in Light of May Alcott Nieriker
The real-life model for Louisa May Alcott’s Amy March was a pioneering champion of women artists.
Kelly BlewettMar 31, 2020
Please Fix Me: A Conversation with Anna Mehler Paperny
Anna Mehler Paperny discusses her new memoir about suicide and mental illness.
Travis LupickMar 31, 2020
- Memoir & Essay
The End in the Middle of Nowhere: Report from Wyoming
Arielle ZibrakMar 31, 2020
A Terrible Beauty: On Fernanda Melchor’s “Hurricane Season”
Amanda Dennis weathers “Hurricane Season,” the recently published novel by Fernanda Melchor and translated by Sophie Hughes.
Amanda DennisMar 31, 2020
- Around the World
- Fiction
A Respite for Refugees: The Sun and Her Stars
Chris Yogerst reviews Donna Rifkind's "The Sun and Her Stars," a story of Jewish émigrés and the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Chris YogerstMar 31, 2020
Out of Focus: On Helena Janeczek’s “The Girl with the Leica”
Magdalena Miecznicka looks at Helena Janeczek’s novel “The Girl with the Leica,” translated by Ann Goldstein.
Magdalena MiecznickaMar 30, 2020
- Around the World
- Fiction
A Podcast About Nothing with Jenny Odell: Quarantine Edition
Figuring out how to do nothing in the quarantine era
LARB Radio HourMar 30, 2020
Mermaids from Across the Seven Seas: On “The Penguin Book of Mermaids”
Jeana Jorgensen charts “The Penguin Book of Mermaids,” edited by Cristina Bacchilega and Marie Alohalani Brown.
Jeana JorgensenMar 30, 2020
- Around the World
- SF
COVID and Community
From the early days of the pandemic, Steven Shapin on the ways COVID-19 requires us to care for each other and our communities.
Steven ShapinMar 30, 2020