Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One
First FlightThe Nigerian-American novelist’s first novel (now published here after ‘Open City’) shows a writer finding his way but already fearless, nimble, and surprising.
What Should Be Your Favorite Book?
Fiction ProblemsWhat do we talk about when we talk about the books that mean something to us? Benjamin Lytal ponders while reading two new books (from Rebecca Mead and W. G. Sebald) about books.
The Chechen Grievance
Benjamin Lytal checks in on Tolstoy’s tale of anti-heroism and betrayal, ‘Hadji Murad.’
The Forgotten Russian
We all know about Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Dostoevsky, but what about their compatriot, Nikolai Leskov? Benjamin Lytal on his elusive genius.
Judge Me Not
'A Thousand Pardons'<p>In his new novel of forgiveness, <em>A Thousand Pardons</em>, Jonathan Dee reflects on our permanent guilt, but this effort doesn't engage with class anxiety as fully as his last. Benjamin Lytal reviews.</p>
What’s the Matter with Mary
Colm TóibínIn a blasphemous new novel Colm Tóibín writes from the perspective of the Virgin Mary. By Benjamin Lytal.
Be Interesting, Zany, and Cute
Words, Words, WordsForget beautiful. Zany and cute are words that define us today. Benjamin Lytal on what that reveals about us.