BoD: CivilWarLand in Bad Decline
Peopled by quirky people in odd situations, George Saunders’ CivilWarLand in Bad Decline presents a demented near-future. The single thread through all these situations, through the future amusement parks and decaying towns, are real people, often broken, usually vulnerable, and always memorable. Just a couple of examples: In The Wavemaker Falters, the narrator faces his…
continue readingAdventures in the Postal Wilderness
When you work a certain profession, you become acquainted with, and get to know, a lot of other industries. Policemen spend a great deal of time with paramedics, lawyers, and firemen. If you work in advertising, you probably meet plenty of graphic designers, printing companies, and artists. Farmers know the feedman, the blacksmith, and the…
continue readingThe Role of Editors in Modern Publishing
This past weekend, there was an interesting article in The Guardian that discusses the role, if there even is one, of editors in modern publishing. The article mourns the passing of the truly hands-on, truly involved editor. The article says “tha sharp-dressed corporate beasts run the show, reluctant to make decisions of their own, and…
continue readingFirst Contests, Now Book Reviews, What’s Next?
While I wholeheartedly support the idea of cleaning up the favoritism, cronyism, and old-boyism of the literary world, and although I definitely agree with trying to excise the bitterness, vindictiveness, and pettiness that permeates so many feuds in that same literary world, I just have to wonder where it’s going to end… The Washington Post…
continue readingFoer and Krauss Expecting
In a news item that has been getting a lot of coverage in the book blog world, Jonathan Safran Foer cancelled some appearances in Houston last week. It seems he received the good news that he and his wife, Nicole Krauss, are expecting a baby. Lots of “witty” comments on this, but hey, give the…
continue reading