David Constantine is well known in Britain for his award-winning poetry, translations and fiction. "In Another Country: Selected Stories" is his literary debut in the United States. The 17 stories in the collection are 17 rich, unusual narrative adventures.
Category: Book Review
They couldn’t find Mick
This is a moving first novel, "The Given World," by Marian Palaia. It takes place during the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's in the life of a woman whose brother goes missing in the Vietnam War. Palaia perfectly captures how the war changed the lives of the loved ones back home.
Andreï Makine and the Soviet experience
Andreï Makine is a French-Russian author whose novels should not be missed, especially by readers looking for unusual, moving stories. The two novels here richly evoke Soviet life with unforgettable main characters. I read one and immediately picked up the other. And I'd continue, chain reading his novels, if I had the time to do so.
Steinhauer’s new, unnerving espionage
Olen Steinhauer is a dependable author for delivering a great story when it comes to the fictional spy world. His newest "All the Old Knives" seduces with a meeting of two CIA agents over dinner at a posh restaurant. Here's what it's about.
A way of being in the world
In his new memoir, "All the Wrong Places," Philip Connors achieves a superb middle ground between journalism and the intimacy of confessional expression. This is the story of a tragedy that became the central event of his life during his years as a Wall Street Journal editor. He writes with enticing humor and insight. A memorable book.
Eloquent, magical, suspenseful new books
Six books for you to browse and consider, including a family saga and a spy novel. All being published in upcoming weeks.
A retreat into wildness
"H Is for Hawk" is Helen Macdonald's British award-winning memoir. There are few like it, notably because of its combined exploration of grief, falconry and the life of author T. H White, known best for penning "The Once and Future King." If anything, at least check out the great cover illustration. The book goes on sale in the U.S. next month.
Harrowing tale, breathless thriller…
The Edgar Award nominees have been announced, and the list includes novels of well-known mystery writers as well as debut authors. Every year I select a few to read before the award ceremony. Here are this year's choices.
Three anthropologists, four liars
Lily King's highly acclaimed novel "Euphoria" draws its plot from the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead. E. Lockhart's popular Young Adult novel "We Were Liars" intrigues with a mysterious accident. These are two very different books and stories, and they are brought together here by a January habit of mine.
Welcome new year, now here are old books
Here are three novels, two of them crime mysteries, published in 1993, 2009 and 1930. It's a way of welcoming the new year by remembering that the past in literature shall not be forgotten.
The time of your life
"Time Present and Time Past" is a slim novel about an ordinary man in Dublin, Ireland, who experiences hallucinations that warp his sense of time. It's a rewarding story with the message that time is much more than the thing we measure with clocks and calendars.
A woman who never compromised
Florence Gordon is this novel's unforgettable female protagonist, a 75-year-old New Yorker whose family arrives in the city and brings with it some messy issues. Her name is the book's title, and she's an inspiration -- not only for the novel's characters, but also for readers.
Three good books coming in November
Some reading opportunities to be aware of, arriving soon. One (a thriller), already published in hardbound is being released in paperback; a non-fiction treasure from the well-known essayist, Pico Iyer, might just become a best-seller; and a literary novel, from a Canadian author, promises to be an engaging story.
Chasing Martin Amis, then and now
When "The Zone of Interest" came out last month, I jumped in once again to read Martin Amis, after a long hiatus. It seems, however, that I keep jumping without getting hooked. Here's what's going on.
A longlist that’s a great reading list
Nominees for the National Book Award are out. First up, the longlists of 10 contenders each in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young people's literature. In two weeks, these lists will be shortened to the five finalists. Here's a look at the fiction longlist, with brief summaries.
The Longest Chapter 