Category Archives: contemporary literature

A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories by Lucia Berlin

I wonder what it would have been like to read Lucia Berlin in the 1970’s, as my family was driving through the western United States on various extended vacations — two parents and five kids stuffed into a green Buick … Continue reading

Posted in contemporary literature, fiction, short stories, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

M Train by Patti Smith

Patti wanders equally and easily through dreams, memories, as well as through what we call everyday life. The immediacy of her lovely thoughts, annotations, and reflections pull us so strongly into her consciousness that we feel blessedly wrapped in a magical fabric part dream, … Continue reading

Posted in belles lettres, biography, contemporary literature, nonfiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Door by Magda Szabó

What is behind the door? Do not come to this book expecting to find easy answers to any of your tired questions about relationships, faith, poverty, love, or the meaning of life. Check your preconceptions at the door. This is the … Continue reading

Posted in contemporary literature, fiction, novels | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Unchangeable Spots of the Leopard

This books was a nice surprise. Beautifully written, energetic, intelligent, humane, thoughtful. I’m in a good mood so I’m not going to say anything bad… But if I were going to say something critical, I would only mention that the author’s/narrator’s … Continue reading

Posted in contemporary literature, fiction, novels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

House Hold: A Memoir of Place by Ann Peters

I first heard Ann Peters read from this book in the summer of 2012 in Wisconsin; it was one of the most compelling and enjoyable book readings I’ve ever attended. I’ve since read the book in its entirety and found … Continue reading

Posted in belles lettres, biography, contemporary literature, nonfiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Television

A slightly grandiose academic takes a sabbatical in Berlin to compile his research into a book about Titian. He has nothing to do but sit down and write. However, despite his scorn for popular culture and the best intentions to give up the addictive medium altogether, an extended (and often self-congratulatory) rationalization leads to very little writing, but quite a lot of television – some of it watching, some of it not. Continue reading

Posted in contemporary literature, fiction, novels | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk

This novel gripped me like a weird, powerful dream you might have while napping on a lazy clear summer day. You wake up in a daze, disoriented and sweating, but luxuriating in the vivid details and marveling at the intricate folds and turns – the mysterious corners and magical twists of the mind. Continue reading

Posted in contemporary literature, fiction, novels | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment