SubscribeMcSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Issue 31
Every issue of McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern comes with a sort of prompt given to its writers. In some cases, the theme is more generic; in other cases, it’s a more limiting construct. In the case of Issue #31, writers were either given or allowed to select (I’m not sure which) an old [...]
Special Topics in Calamity Physics
I read this book previously in 2007.
There’s something particular about debut novels; sure, some authors start small and refine their craft, becoming better authors later in life. But there’s a particular kind of new author—the brash, young literate authors—whose first novels are fireworks displays, the pent-up combustive energies of potentially years worth of [...]
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
First, a preamble. If you’ve been hiding in a cave with your eyes closed and cotton in your ears, you might not be aware that zombies are in. Though at one point nothing more than one entry in a pantheon of ghouls (which also included mummies and vampires), they have quickly worked their [...]
McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Issue 30
This is the very first issue of McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern that I have read, though not for lack of trying. Its title (if you can call it that) is “Rejoice,” and is clearly a nod to the recent election of Barack Obama as U.S. President, and all the warm, gooey-on-the-inside sort of feelings that [...]
The Book of Job
The Book of Job continues a recent trend of books I’ve read that I received as gifts—specifically from my brother, who has similar taste.
The McSweeney’s Joke Book of Book Jokes
I am no stranger to McSweeney’s publications. I’ve previously reviewed Mountain Man Dance Moves and Created In Darkness By Troubled Americans; I’ve also got a subscription to McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, visit the website regularly, and have read numerous authors from the McSweeney’s label. Needless to say, I have at least a passing [...]
Recent Comments
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Nice review, Ben. I actually hadn’t heard of this book, but I might have to look for it. True SF...
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If you mean the current, theme, I can’t take the credit for that. It’s Renegade, by...
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I’ve just stumbled upon your site and wanted to tell you how great I think your...
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just found out about the other book myself, waiting for it to be delivered. i dont blame you for...
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It’s interesting that the filmmakers (or the screenwriter) made the decision to approach the...
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