Essays Archive | Los Angeles Review of Books

All Essays

Focusing on the Fundamentals
The music of Loreena McKennitt
Cornel BoncaMar 13, 2016
- Music
Views from a Height: Technologies of Surveillance from the Photographic Survey to the Predator Drone
The tradition of landscape painting and the practice of drone surveillance are indissolubly linked.
Jennifer KabatMar 12, 2016
- Art & Architecture
- Science & Technology
The Puerility of “Purity”: How Franzen’s Latest Novel Rewrites an Edith Wharton Novel You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Edith Wharton's "The Children," published in 1928, has a lot in common with Jonathan Franzen's "Purity."
Sheila LimingMar 11, 2016
- Fiction
- Literary Criticism
Underground: Season 1, "The Macon 7"
Dear Television on WGN's Underground
Phillip Maciak, Sarah MesleMar 11, 2016
- Dear Television
The Poetics of Trauma and Life After Rape: A Profile of Frances Driscoll
Frances Driscoll's poetry collections over the past 20 years deal explicitly with her life after rape and offer some answers to this question.
Brian GreskoMar 9, 2016
- Poetry
Santa Anas
"So we're good at waiting, and we wait as long as possible before going home."
Liska JacobsMar 6, 2016
- Memoir & Essay
Precision Psychiatry: Hype or Promise?
What if doctors could treat diseases based on the specific genes, enzymes, and biochemistry of a patient?
Sally SatelMar 4, 2016
- Science & Technology
A Downton Reader
The proliferating of literary "Downton Abbey" spin-offs suggests that historical fiction is finally gaining some confidence.
Nancy M. WestMar 4, 2016
- Television
Why Conservatives Hate Fiscal Policy
It is time for policy makers to embrace stimulative fiscal policy.
Tom StreithorstMar 1, 2016
- Politics
The Oscars 2016
Dear Television discusses the 2016 Oscars
Phillip Maciak, Sarah MesleMar 1, 2016
- Dear Television
On the Harmed Body: A Tribute to Hillary Gravendyk
Thinking about pain and the body on the occasion of Hillary Gravendyk's birthday, a year after her passing.
Diana ArterianFeb 29, 2016
- Poetry
Chicago State State of Mind
Poet Derrick Harriell on the difference Chicago State University’s MFA program makes for black writers.
Derrick HarriellFeb 29, 2016
- Poetry
Arthur Miller at 100
We’ve come to expect that artists will be celebrated on their 100th anniversary, whether alive or dead. Here’s why we should remember Arthur Miller.
Murray BiggsFeb 29, 2016
- Politics
The State That I Am In: Hannah Arendt in America
How did the United States change Hannah Arendt? Richard King's ambitious new book is a welcome addition to a crowded scholarly field of works on Arendt.
Benjamin Aldes WurgaftFeb 28, 2016
- History
The Telltale Novel
Novels like "Black Wings" don't display master criminals or overly clever detectives — noir's best portrayals are gritty and realistic.
Phil McCauslandFeb 28, 2016
- Noir
“Ain’t Got No, I Got Life”: #OscarsSoWhite & the Problem of Women Musicians on Film
Why has "What Happened, Miss Simone?" directed by Liz Garbus flown beneath the radar of the Oscar controversy?
Daphne A. BrooksFeb 28, 2016
- Film