Tag: genre

Essay, Fiction, Short Story, Translation

“I could live under a table reading Borges.” – Roberto Bolaño

Everything and Nothing is a collection of Jorge Luis Borges’ writings, released in a New Directions Pearl edition.  I’m a huge fan of the Pearls – they’re throwbacks to a time when paperbacks came in 4-1/2″ x 7″ format and fit handily inside your jacket pocket.  Ficciones holds a special place in my heart.  But this particular collection is beautiful, compact and contains some of … Continue reading “I could live under a table reading Borges.” – Roberto Bolaño

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Advance Review Copy, Fiction

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt… & A Special Giveaway!

Read 5 pages into The Sisters Brothers and you begin comparing it to Charles Portis’ (or, for that matter, the Cohen brothers’) True Grit. Both are Westerns, obviously. Neither narrator uses contractions or slang and – despite one being a man & the other a girl – they speak in almost identical voices. Which was an intelligent choice on the author’s part when you think … Continue reading The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt… & A Special Giveaway!

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Fiction, Mystery, Sci-Fi / Fantasy

In Search of Steampunk

Top 10 Unanswered Questions after reading The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes: Who is Barabbas?  What is his past history with Edward Moon ?  Why is he chosen by Love, Love & Love? Who is the Somnambulist? Where did he come from?  Why doesn’t he talk and what’s with the milk? What is he? Who was his predecessor? What the hell happens to him at the … Continue reading In Search of Steampunk

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Fiction, Mystery, Sci-Fi / Fantasy, Short Story

Vive le Genre!

Lately there has been a renewed interest in genre fiction. Whether it’s Stephen King’s lurid covers on retro paperbacks in the grocery aisle, Michael Chabon’s serialized adventure story in the New York Times Magazine, or Arturo Pèrez Reverte’s Captain Alatriste swordsman-for-hire series, – the pulp novel is suddenly being taken seriously. And I’m glad. Books written & read for entertainment and good writing aren’t mutually … Continue reading Vive le Genre!

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