Scriptorium

With "new" stories, a "second" farewell to a peerless chronicler.

Elizabeth Strout's inspiring Olive Kitteridge.

Susan Jacoby's account of anti-Communist hysteria is an ace.

Aravind Adiga scathes the "new" India, both light and dark.

Amélie Nothomb gives that funny thing called "love" a workout in 1989 Japan.

John Updike's greatest accomplishment was making the ordinary vivid.

In a wild 2008, the American short story got a boost.

Paul Theroux is back with intent to dazzle. And he does in "Ghost Train to the Eastern Star."

Tina Brown's new online venture, The Daily Beast, puts its best claws forward.

Philip Roth brings his 'A' game (and his Newark youth) to "Indignation," novel No. 26.

Geraldine Brooks sense of invention is as phony as her genre.

ROLLIN' with McSWEENEY… (or, please look at me be BOLD)