Fiction

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

The Danger of Amnesia: John Shannon’s “The Taking of the Waters”
Mike Harris reintroduces a three-generation saga novel of the American Left, “The Taking of the Waters” by John Shannon.
Michael HarrisOct 20, 2016
- Fiction
Exorcising the Communist Past: Michal Viewegh’s “Bliss Was It In Bohemia”
Andrei Rogatchevski appreciates the cheerfulness of “Bliss Was It In Bohemia” by Michal Viewegh.
Andrei RogatchevskiOct 18, 2016
- Around the World
- Fiction
Notebook or Novel? Patrick Modiano’s “The Black Notebook”
Patrick Modiano’s “The Black Notebook” is his latest to be translated into English.
GD DessOct 18, 2016
- Fiction
The Dunce Gets a Doorstop: A Life of Jean Cocteau
Kevin McMahon takes the measure of “Jean Cocteau: A Life” by Claude Arnaud.
Kevin McMahonOct 17, 2016
Provisionally Speaking: An Interview with Jonathan Lethem
Jonathan Lethem discusses his ambivalence toward success, being grouped by first name, and his newest novel, “A Gambler’s Anatomy.”
Ryan McIlvainOct 16, 2016
- Fiction
Mircea Eliade: Eponym of the Humanities?
Bryan Rennie reassesses the legacy of Romanian novelist and religious philosopher Mircea Eliade.
Bryan RennieOct 13, 2016
- Fiction
- Religion
The Apocalypse of Adulthood
What happens when a '90s archetype grows up? Hugh Ryan reads "Black Wave" by Michelle Tea to find out.
Hugh RyanOct 13, 2016
Making Magic
Karen Newman looks at "Hag-Seed," Margaret Atwood's reimagining of "The Tempest."
Karen NewmanOct 13, 2016
- Fiction
Doubt and Shame in “The Mothers”: An Interview with Brit Bennett
Brit Bennett discusses faith, doubt, and female sovereignty in her debut novel “The Mothers,” with Morgan Jerkins.
Morgan JerkinsOct 11, 2016
- Fiction
Lawyers Write for a Living
Don Franzen talks to Greyson Bryan about his new novel, “BIG: Beginnings.”
Don FranzenOct 10, 2016
On Samuel R. Delany’s “Dark Reflections”
Matthew Cheney reviews Samuel R. Delany’s “Dark Reflections.”
Matthew CheneyOct 9, 2016
- Fiction
- SF
A Grief-Stricken Life: Rabih Alameddine’s “The Angel of History”
Noel Alumit hopes Rabih Alameddine's "The Angel of History" can teach a new generation about the history and impact of AIDS.
Noel AlumitOct 7, 2016
- Fiction