Literary Criticism

"Writing only leads to more writing." — Colette

What’s a Novel Good For?
Andrew Koenig reviews “The Novel and the New Ethics,” the recently published book by Dorothy J. Hale.
Andrew KoenigMar 17, 2021
- Literary Criticism
On Cosmopolitanism and the Love of Literature: Revisiting Harold Bloom Through His Final Books
Ignacio M. Sánchez Prado looks back on the work of Harold Bloom.
Ignacio M. Sánchez PradoMar 2, 2021
- Literary Criticism
Summoned to the Stand: On Erica McAlpine’s “The Poet’s Mistake”
Declan Ryan vets “The Poet’s Mistake” by Erica McAlpine.
Declan RyanFeb 24, 2021
- Literary Criticism
- Poetry
Star Vehicle: On Translating Poetry
Polish poet Tomasz Różycki reflects on his craft of translation, in an essay translated by Mira Rosen-thal.
Mira Rosenthal, Tomasz RóżyckiFeb 22, 2021
“No Worst, There Is None”: On Gerard Manley Hopkins
Vona Groarke finds little comfort and much inspiration in one of Gerard Manley Hopkins’s “Terrible Sonnets.”
Vona GroarkeFeb 14, 2021
Manifestations of Higher Meaning: On Dana Gioia’s “The Catholic Writer Today” and “Studying with Miss Bishop”
Peggy Ellsberg praises the clarity, reverence, and affection of “The Catholic Writer Today” and “Studying with Miss Bishop” by Dana Gioia.
Peggy EllsbergFeb 7, 2021
Hunting Down Repositories: A Conversation with George Saunders
Sean Hooks speaks to George Saunders about his first nonfiction book, “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain.”
Sean HooksFeb 5, 2021
- Literary Criticism
- Memoir & Essay
Reading for Unreadability: Racializing Asians During the Long Cold War
Kion You reviews Sunny Xiang's "Tonal Intelligence: The Aesthetics of Asian Inscrutability During the Long Cold War."
Kion YouJan 26, 2021
- Literary Criticism
Unknown Cities: On Daniel Mendelsohn’s “Three Rings”
Jehanne Dubrow ponders "Three Rings," the new book by Daniel Mendelsohn.
Jehanne DubrowJan 23, 2021
How to Read an Artichoke: On George Saunders’s “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain”
Robert Allen Papinchak sits in on the master class of “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain” by George Saunders.
Robert Allen PapinchakJan 14, 2021
Romanticism of the Present
Bakary Diaby reviews two new books by Anahid Nersessian, "The Calamity Form: On Poetry and Social Life" and "Keats’s Odes: A Lover’s Discourse."
Bakary DiabyJan 13, 2021
- Literary Criticism
Man of Sorrows: On Terry Eagleton’s “Tragedy”
Rhodri Lewis makes sense of "Tragedy," the newest book from Terry Eagleton.
Rhodri LewisJan 5, 2021
- Literary Criticism