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19/1

The Loves of Mary Shelley

Her husband was openly hostile to her. After his death, she was intimate with several women. Her sexual orientation was clear, perhaps even to herself

18/1

Postmodern Politics

Fire and Fury shows that the political and moral problem of this president — a “real-life fictional character” — is also a literary problem: How to get below the surface of a man who is all surface.

16/1

The Coping Economy

When work changes, companies reward new ways of feeling about it. Enter corporate mindfulness. But what about when breathing exercises aren’t enough?

15/1

People and Apes

Their story is one of intimacy, estrangement, betrayal, and attempted reconciliation. It’s also about what it means to be a person.

14/1

Fate of a Magazine

With stylish prose and showy erudition, The New Criterion respectably skewered academic jargon and defended high culture. Then came Roger Kimball.

13/1

Critiquing on a Curve

Most literature and film is mediocre or worse. Yet reviewers spout praise. Why aren’t critics critical enough? Ben Yagoda has a few thoughts.

12/1

Among the Cranks

A.R. Ammons was one of the great curmudgeons of poetry. He made an aesthetic out of fuddy-duddiness, but he was more than a lovable grouch.