“Something Good, Something Bad, Something Dirty,” by Brian Alan Ellis shines a comedic light on the same desperation and absurdity of the human condition. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: Something Good, Something Bad, Something Dirty, by Brian Alan Ellis
This week I continue my series American Odd with an essay about “The Book of the SubGenius” by J.R. “Bob” Dobbs. Continue reading American Odd: The Book of the SubGenius, by J.R. “Bob” Dobbs
This week I review Seth Kaufman’s new collection of darkly satirical short stories, The War Against Boredom. Continue reading CCLaP Fridays: The War Against Boredom, by Seth Kaufman
I think this quote really brings the room together. But that’s just my opinion, man. Continue reading Commonplace Book: “I can’t complain.”
What’s the best cure for a man who hates the mountains? Send him to the mountains. What’s the best cure for a misanthrope? Send him to live with other people. Thus begins “Twenty-One Days of a Neurasthenic” by Octave Mirbeau (1848–1917). Continue reading Twenty-One Days of a Neurasthenic, by Octave Mirbeau @ NYJB
I continue my CCLaP essay series “American Odd” with “The Manson File,” by Nikolas Schreck, an anthology of poetry, prose, and art by Charles Manson. Continue reading American Odd: The Manson File, by Nikolas Schreck
“Understanding the full scope of The Familiar is akin to counting the raindrops.” Continue reading The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy Day in May, by Mark I. Danielewski @ NYJB
For Jennifer Birkett, Emeritus Professor of French Studies at the University of Birmingham, Samuel Beckett thought “life was a matter of doing time, while writing was a way of undoing it.” Continue reading Undoing Time: The Life and Work of Samuel Beckett, by Jennifer Birkett @ NYJB
This week for American Odd I write about The Cremaster Cycle by Matthew Barney. Continue reading American Odd: The Cremaster Cycle by Matthew Barney
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”
The Driftless Area Review 