smatterings

Looks like Andrew Vachss has managed to be super-prescient in his new novel TWO TRAINS RUNNING, which deals with late 1950s Southern crime and corruption — a topic that’s made headlines the last few weeks with the conviction of Edgar Ray Killen and the exhumation of Emmett Till’s body. Oh yeah, and his next novel brings Burke back.

I’m not sure if there’s really anything new in this Scotsman profile of Lionel Shriver, but I rather like the photo.

Sara Paretsky explains what drives all her Warshawski novels, including FIRE SALE: the sense of hoplessness and powerlessness that ought to be overcome.

Why is Japanese so popular in English-speaking countries but Chinese fiction doesn’t get the same accolades? China View offers up some explanations.

On the prize front, Andrew McGahan has won the Miles Franklin Prize from Australia, while Orhan Pamuk has won the German Book Trade Peace Prize.

After reading through this profile of Michel Houllenbecq by the LA Weekly, all I can say is that he’s rather…strange. (link from Moby)

Whither novellas, and is it still a viable format? Kevin Burton Smith examines the Ed McBain-edited TRANSGRESSIONS and comes up with some answers.

And finally, why the hell is the Post trying to convince people that the UES is the new Williamsburg? It’s not. Granted, I’d much rather be hanging out in the former than the latter no matter what, but still…