Literary Figures
Superstorm Sandy Inspires Bleak, Poetic Landscapes In 'Let Me Be Frank'
In Richard Ford's brilliant collection of four short stories, protagonist Frank Bascombe returns to be "frank" about touchy topics. His awareness, particularly of mortality, is profound and hilarious.
A Critic Tours 'Echo Spring,' Home Of Beloved Boozy Writers.
A new book by critic Olivia Laing explores the link between alcohol and writing through the commentaries of famous writers who were themselves alcoholics. Fresh Air's Maureen Corrigan calls Laing's readings "exquisite," and says she wisely avoids "any one-size-fits-all conclusions about the bond between the pen and the bottle."
Making Music From Messy Relationships With 'Kin'.
Kin: Songs By Mary Karr and Rodney Crowell is a new collaboration between Karr, the bestselling author and poet, and the maverick singer-songwriter. Together, they've written 10 songs, which are performed on the album by a variety of singers, including Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris.
Susan Sontag's Ruminations 'Reborn'
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Reborn: Journals & Notebooks, 1947 â 1963, the newly published intimate ruminations of Susan Sontag.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews On Being Ill (The Paris Press) by Virginia Woolf. First published in 1925, this essay has been republished as an individual book.
A Massive Dose of Waugh that Won't Seem Like Enough.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews “Evelyn Waugh: The Complete Short Stories” (Back Bay Books).
A Forgotten Member of the Lost Generation is Found.
Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews: "Kay Boyle: Author of Herself," by Joan Mellen.
A Catalog of Strong Opinions
Book critic John Leonard says that the collected letters of humorist S.J. Perelman reveal a surprising amount of vitriol directed toward a number of notable film and literary figures. But it's not all doom and gloom.