This week I continue my American Odd essay series with a look at Chicago-area artist and recluse Henry Darger. Continue reading American Odd: Henry Darger: Selected Art and Writings, by Michael Bonesteel
English conservative Catholic writer GK Chesterton tells us what’s wrong with the world … especially politicians. Continue reading Commonplace Book: G.K. Chesterton on politicians
“Zagreb Noir,” edited by Ivan Sršen, is yet another international addition to the long-running Akashic Noir series. Continue reading Zagreb Noir, by Ivan Srsen @ NYJB
This week I continue my American Odd essay series with a look at Conspiranoia!: the Mother of All Conspiracy Theories, by Devon Jackson. It’s the essay the UFO nazi Bilderbergers don’t want you to read … or do they? Continue reading American Odd: Conspiranoia!: the Mother of All Conspiracy Theories, by Devon Jackson
This week I review “Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial,” by Kenji Yoshino, about the court case that eventually repealed Prop 8. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial, by Kenji Yoshino
An occasional series that is a continuation of my essay anthology, On Being Human: critical looks at books and movies that examine the question of humanity. (Buy the limited edition hardcover, Kindle version, or download it for free at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography.) Via Orphan Black: Season 3 will be premiering on April 18, 2015 on BBC America. Below are a series of notes on Seasons 1 and 2. Due to the nature of these essays, they contain many spoilers, major and minor. If you haven’t seen the series, I would suggest watching it before reading these … Continue reading On Being Human Redux: Notes on “Orphan Black”
“One Nation Under God” sheds light on the shadowy history of political conservatism, big business, and populist fervor. Continue reading One Nation Under God: How Corporate American Invented Christian America, by Kevin M. Kruse @ NYJB
Pat Buchanan wrote a new book. It’s about Nixon’s 1968 campaign for the presidency. Continue reading The Greatest Comeback, by Patrick J. Buchanan
This week I review “Muscle Cars,” by Stephen G. Eoannou, a short story collection that follows the lives of inarticulate misfits in the Buffalo, NY area. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Muscle Cars, by Stephen G. Eoannou
Lisa Marie Basile’s “Apocryphal” exists in that Nabokovian twilight between childhood and adulthood. Between these realms one confronts monsters and the monolithic oppression of tradition. This is “Alice in Wonderland” re-imagined as a harrowing nightmare journey, a poodle-skirted damsel thrown into the jaws of a slavering beast, who may be the speaker’s father. What remains are fragments, memories, and fantasies strewn about or reconfigured. Continue reading Apocryphal by Lisa Marie Basile @ thethepoetryblog
