Book Reviews

Books
Arts

An Artist Draws His Journey Away From War And Death, With Gratitude

4:36pm November 12, 2014

by Etelka Lehoczky

Shigeru Mizuki's Showa 1944-1953 is the third volume of his massive, autobiographical history of Japan and WWII, packed with anger at generals who ordered him to die, and gratitude for his survival.

Books
Arts

Behind The Famous Story, A Difficult 'Wild Truth'

11:01am November 11, 2014

by Heller McAlpin

When Christopher McCandless died in the wilds of Alaska, his story became famous all over the world. A new memoir by his sister Carine reveals some of the reasons he chose to walk away from the world.

Books
Arts

Actress Anjelica Huston's Memoir Has Glitz, But Lacks Depth

7:08pm November 10, 2014

by Meg Wolitzer

Anjelica Huston's memoir is all Hollywood, all the time. It's full of anecdotes about Jack Nicholson and other stars. But these stories of excess, fame and money lack feeling and subtext.

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Richard Ford won the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 for his novel Independence Day. His latest book takes his beloved hero, Frank Bascombe, into his sunset years.

Books
Arts

Superstorm Sandy Inspires Bleak, Poetic Landscapes In 'Let Me Be Frank'

2:57pm November 10, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

In Richard Ford's brilliant collection of four short stories, protagonist Frank Bascombe returns to be "frank" about touchy topics. His awareness, particularly of mortality, is profound and hilarious.

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Books
Arts

Will Self's 'Shark' Swims In A Chaotic Sea

5:41am November 09, 2014

by J.P. O'Malley

Featuring the same time frame and some of the same characters as his last novel, Umbrella, Shark continues Self's modernist exploration of the human psyche and the violence done by modern society.

Eavan Boland has authored numerous volumes of poetry, including In a Time of Violence, which was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize.

Books
Arts

Walking Through Light-Filled Rooms In 'Woman Without A Country'

7:03am November 08, 2014

by Amal El-Mohtar

Irish poet Eavan Boland's latest volume meditates on the gulf between ideas of nation and individual lives of women; reviewer Amal El-Mohtar calls it a "beautiful kind of conversation."

For Political Junkies, A (Literary) Post-Election Fix

8:11pm November 07, 2014

Post-elections, Molly Antopol and Jason Sheehan reflect on the results by turning to their favorite political books, Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.

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Books
Arts

In The World Of Rare Books, This Mystery Goes Off-Script

12:44pm November 06, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Bradford Morrow's novel delves into literary forgery, and takes its time doing so. But when the truth belongs to those able to fake it, The Forgers — elegant yarn it may be — promises some knots, too.

Books
Arts

A Dizzying, Fictional 'History' Draws On Bob Marley's Life

10:23am November 06, 2014

by Rosecrans Baldwin

Marlon James' A Brief History Of Seven Killings is a novel based on a real-life assassination attempt on Bob Marley. Its hefty cast and sprawling plot make for a demanding yet rewarding read.

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Books
Arts

Frankly, Bascombe's Return Has Some Problems

10:03am November 06, 2014

by Michael Schaub

Richard Ford's signature character returns in Let Me Be Frank With You; reviewer Michael Schaub praises Ford's writing, but says despite moments of beauty and insight, some of it feels phoned in.