Anne Fadiman and a revival of the long essay
Key Questions
Who is Anne Fadiman and what is her contribution to the long essay revival?
Anne Fadiman is a prominent essayist whose works expand trivial subjects into profound explorations. Her influence is central to the current revival of the long essay form, amplified by connections to metacognition and literary criticism at institutions like Bennington and through figures like Helen Vendler.
What is 'The Correspondent' by Virginia Evans?
'The Correspondent' is an epistolary novel reviewed as the year's quietest bestseller. David Moran's review highlights its earned place among notable works.
What are some literary masterpieces that were initially hated by critics?
Examples include 10 literary masterpieces that faced initial critical disdain, as detailed in a list exploring why reviewers' snap judgments can miss long-term value. Critical reception is seen as a snapshot, not a final verdict.
What critique is offered of the adaptation of Olga Tokarczuk’s 'Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead'?
The review argues that the adaptation misses the novel's radical, angry heart. Olga Tokarczuk's original work centers on intense themes that are not fully captured.
What is discussed in 'Reading Carol Cohn in Tehran'?
The piece involves reading Carol Cohn's ethnography for a Nuclear Weapons and World Politics course, turned into Substack notes. It explores her work in the context of Tehran.
What are literary feuds that shaped modern literature?
A list details 10 fierce literary feuds involving writers, challenging the notion of their civility and showing how such conflicts influenced literary history through nuance and empathy debates.
What is Wayne Koestenbaum’s 'My Lover, the Rabbi' about?
In this novel, the quest to understand the loved object’s inner life takes on a Talmudic quality, simulating worship. It is published by FSG Originals.
How does Adele Bertei’s 'No New York' connect to the No Wave movement?
Adele Bertei’s book explores jazz elements in the No Wave movement. As an author-musician, she draws from her experiences in this cultural scene.
Fadiman's essays expand trivial to profound; new: Virginia Evans epistolary 'Correspondent' review, 10 hated classics list (bad reviews/feuds), Tokarczuk adaptation critique, Carol Cohn ethnography, 'White America' promo (Lovecraft/decline), AI-maxxing lit manifesto. Plus Bertei/Koestenbaum/Jenkins/Shriver/Jones/NYT AI/Zoe Yu/Han Kang etc. Bennington/Vendler amplify metacog/lit ties.