Once upon a time, a postcard bearing an exotic façade. Then, two decades later, the façade itself.
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Seeing the elephant
José Saramargo's penultimate novel is a small masterpiece of pachyderm humor.
Behind the plates
The author knew Charles "Chuck" Murphy in another life. Now, the one he knew is over.
Defending the faith
In 1955, Queen Elizabeth had to decided whether to challenge the tule of law. Read on, President Trump.
A day under the Tuscan sun
Sometimes streams (of consciousness, and up against a wall) are part and parcel of a delightful day in the country.
Messy miracles
Teachers harp on neatness as the sign of a keen mind, but science and medicine have something else to say.
Hit’em where it hurts
Gay-hating bullies are rarely confrontational, relying on snubs and snobbery. So change tactics.
Historical cycles
Studying history means looking at life in century-long, not decade-long stretches, putting Steve Bannon-like alarmism on the fringe.
Exit West
In "Exit West," Mohsin Hamid gives global migration a magically compassionate new look.
Tighten up
When in doubt over how much to write, particularly on a subject that thrills you, keep it short.
Equity
Meera Menon's Wall Street thriller breaks gender stereotypes, with Anna Gunn shining bright.
The Lobster
Yorgos Lanthimos's wondrously bizarre love parable creates a credible alternate universe.