The Easter Sunday Weekend Update
(11:30 EDT): Apologies for the incomplete update that went up at 10:00 EDT — technical difficulties in the form of a temperamental modem knocked me offline for a good 16 hours, and I’m only catching up now.
NYTBR: Marilyn Stasio returns with the current incarnation of her crime fiction column, looking at new releases by Rupert Holmes, Nevada Barr and Bill Pronzini and a oldie but goodie by Joe Gores.
Otherwise in the Book Review, Pete Hamill examines the legacy of “Boss” Tweed, Liesl Schillinger finally gets to review a worthy book as she sinks her teeth into Francine Prose’s latest, Judith Moore’s unflinching memoir of being fat gets a review explaining just how important this book is, and why hasn’t anyone sent me a copy of this book already? I want it!
WaPo Book World: In his first official review as senior editor for Book World, Ron Charles looks at Jonathan Safran Foer’s sophomore, super-duper-hyped novel and gives it a thumbs up of the mixed variety; Michael Schaub finds Seth Greenland’s maiden effort to be flawed but still satisfying; Renee Bergland rounds up some choice short novels; and Jonathan Yardley falls for a book about the origin of the Ponzi Scheme.
G&M: Candace Fertile sings the praises of Kristjana Gunnars’ dedication to the craft of writing; Martin Levin scoffs at the idea that science writing is on the decline (and good thing, because I’d really like to do more of it); and Aritha Herk is the latest to jump on the Francine Prose bandwagon.
Guardian Review: Martin Cruz Smith is profiled extensively about his work, past and present; Louise Doughty wonders in this thoughtful essay how the effects of the Tsunami will be dealt by East Asia’s local writers; Kirsty Gunn argues passionately in favor of women writing domestic (although didn’t she get the memo that the comments were taken out of context?) and Joanne Harris explains why having fears make for compelling fiction.
Observer: On the hundredth anniversary of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity Paper, Robin McKie celebrates the 20th century’s first notable genius; John Haskell riffs on Dante’s Purgatorian viewpoint; and Carl Williamson wonders about these pesky projects called book proposals.
The Times: Valerie Zenatti was just an ordinary French-Israeli girl when she was recruited to be a spy. Now she’s written a book about it, and it looks to be quite the fascinating read. Otherwise, Lisa Hilton reveals her current reading choices, and holy crap, there’s a new Flashman book!
The Scotsman: Margot Livesey may be the country’s best kept secret author — hell, I thought she was American; A.N. Wilson reworks THE TURN OF THE SCREW to comic effect in his latest effort; and John Freeman chats with AS Byatt about Christianity and other literary endeavors.
The Rest:
Oline Cogdill didn’t have a good reading week, judging by her mixed reactions to William Bernhardt’s 20th novel and Adam Fawer’s debut.
Hallie Ephron returns to the Boston Globe with her latest mystery roundup, looking at new books by Nevada Barr, John Dunning and Stephen White.
The Orlando Sentinel’s Ann Hellmuth does her own version of the roundup as well, featuring new releases by Lawrence Block, Gene Riehl, Barbara Parker, Robert B. Parker, Stephen White and Elizabeth George.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Regis Behe meets Francine Prose, who talks about the impetus for her newest and much-acclaimed novel, A CHANGED MAN.
James Sallis admits to the Boston Globe — and thus, everyone — that until now, he hadn’t read THE GREAT GATSBY. Well, you can’t read everything….
Kerry Greenwood, one of Australia’s most popular crime writers, is interviewed by Stuff (NZ) about her work, the country’s crime fiction climate, and what’s next.
Nancy Means Wright’s fifth mystery novel is just out with St. Martin’s Press, and she is profiled by the California Literary Review about it and her work in general.
Ubiquitous and ever-present Steve Almond is back in the news with a new interview at the Hartford Courant, talking about his love of Candy, writing short stories, and oh, whatever else is on his mind.
Richard Ferris at Maine Today gives a very good review to Bill Eidson for his second crime novel with Justin, Charles & Co., MAYDAY.
When Val McDermid’s major UK publisher wasn’t interested in printing a collection of her short stories, she turned to the Northumbrian indie Press Flambard to do the job — and they’ve done it quite well.
Henry Kisor offers up some choice baseball book antidotes to the steroid scandal, including a new book focusing on the life of turn of the century star (and hottie) Christy Mathewson.
Let the buzz begin: Daniel Alarcon’s WAR BY CANDLELIGHT got a ton of pre-advance buzz and according to the Chicago Tribune, it’s more than warranted.
Also in today’s Trib is a nice piece by Alan Cheuse (currently hanging out at The Happy Booker) about the relationship between memoir and fiction.
From Friday’s Guardian, Tanya Gold explains why Charlotte Bronte’s reputation was hugely tarnished by Elizabeth Gaskell and that, in fact, she was a rather lusty, full-bodied creature, not a victim.
You know, eventually I will want to read Nicole Krauss’s mucho hyped novel, but this new interview with the Bookseller doesn’t really compel me to do so. Maybe it’s the whole idea of not having any idea of what the plot’s about, or something like that.
And finally, tweens* should get dating advice from a girl who spends most of her time canoodling with this guy? I think not….
- I first heard the word “tween” when, um, I was allegedly one. And it was a stupid moniker then. So why is it still being used now? Can we find something else, like, I dunno, toonies?