Links aplenty

David Montgomery’s new Sun-Times Column ran yesterday, and features reviews of new books by Raelynn Hillhouse, Sam Hill, Steve Brewer, Jeffrey Cruikshank, and Lisa Reardon, plus the reissue of an early Lawrence Block book.

Patrick Anderson takes a look at two previously long-out-of-print books by John Le Carre–the opening salvos in the chronicles of George Smiley.

Jean-Christophe Rufin is a novelist with an active life in general, especially as he follows around the Medecins sans Frontieres. The Independent on Sunday catches up with France’s newest literary star.

The Miami Book Fair is underway, and the New York Times has a typically bland take on it. Maud Newton, a Miami native, is also calling for reports on the event.

M. Allen Cunningham (better known to the masses as Mark) is interviewed by the Contra Costa Times about the somewhat surprising success of his debut novel, THE GREEN AGE OF ASHER WITHEROW.

The Herald’s Rosemary Goring positively flips out over Sandor Marai’s CONVERSATIONS IN BOLZANO. She’s positively trippy over it–kind of funny, really.

Alastair McLeod’s highly acclaimed novel NO GREAT MISCHIEF has been adapted for the stage and the result premieres this week.

The Toronto Star talks to playwright David Young about the pros and cons of adapting what looks to be a classic in CanLit.

As evident in David Abrams’ review for January Magazine, Michael Chabon’s new short novel is all about Sherlock Holmes–and keeps a trend for older Holmes stories alive.

The 25th anniversary of Granta brings out the articles talking about the English literary magazine’s “oddness” and “quirkiness,” like this one at the Boston Globe.

And finally, RIP Howard Keel. I always did have a soft spot for his singing and dancing.