Fiction

"Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't." — Mark Twain

An Irresponsible Obsession: Tara Isabella Burton’s “Social Creature”
Lauren Sarazen reviews Tara Isabella Burton's Patricia Highsmith–esque novel, "Social Creature."
Lauren SarazenJun 14, 2018
- Fiction
Observing Terror: A Conversation with Philip Ó Ceallaigh, Translator of “For Two Thousand Years”
Scott Timberg interviews Philip Ó Ceallaigh, who translated “For Two Thousand Years,” a loosely autobiographical work by Romanian Jew Mihail Sebastian.
Scott TimbergJun 14, 2018
- Around the World
- Fiction
The Autumn of Our Patriarch
Lois Zamora looks at contemporary American politics through the lens of "The Autumn of the Patriarch," a “dictator novel” by Gabriel García Márquez.
Lois Parkinson ZamoraJun 14, 2018
- Fiction
- Politics
Aimee Molloy’s Maternal Horror
The gripping horror of Aimee Molloy’s “The Perfect Mother” lies in showing us the demons of motherhood in broad daylight.
Lily MeyerJun 13, 2018
- Fiction
- Gender & Sexuality
The Sensual Music of Sex in Allegra Huston’s “Say My Name”
Allegra Huston’s debut novel is suffused with sensual feeling.
Andrew GumbelJun 11, 2018
- Fiction
Processes of Memory: Christa Wolf’s “Eulogy for the Living: Taking Flight”
As part of a comprehensive guide to Christa Wolf’s often controversial literary history, "Eulogy for the Living" provides a perfect starting point.
Fiona BrysonJun 10, 2018
- Around the World
- Fiction
A Rifle on the Wall: Kevin Powers’s “A Shout in the Ruins”
"Powers seems more inclined toward over-regulation and order even as he’s trying to tell a story of disorder." On "A Shout in the Ruins."
Shehryar FazliJun 9, 2018
- Fiction
Everything Was a Fake
Nathan Scott McNamara reviews Helen DeWitt’s collection “Some Trick,” where we are granted access to 13 more of her mad performances.
Nathan Scott McNamaraJun 8, 2018
- Fiction
Fiction of Dystopian Times: Ahmed Saadawi’s “Frankenstein in Baghdad”
Rather than dystopian fiction, it’s more apt to call Ahmed Saadawi’s “Frankenstein in Baghdad” fiction of dystopian times.
Sam MetzJun 5, 2018
- Around the World
- Fiction
James Wood’s Subtle Subversions
Alexander C. Kafka finds James Wood’s “Upstate” a stirring novel of quiet, careful craftsmanship.
Alexander C. KafkaJun 5, 2018
- Fiction
Memento Park, a Backward Leap into the Future
Andre Hardy interviews Mark Sarvas about his new novel, "Memento Park."
Andre HardyJun 3, 2018
- Fiction
Odds and Ends: Fictive Probability in Helen DeWitt’s “Some Trick”
In DeWitt’s new collection “Some Trick,” keen insights give a distinctive glimpse at how moments of creation blossom.
Adam FalesMay 29, 2018
- Fiction