In the late 1930s, Jean Giono worked to translated Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick into French for the first time. To accompany the new edition, Giono provided a strange, fictional introduction to Melville the man, instead giving us a lovely look at Melville our imagined author.
Paul reviews Orhan Pamuk’s most 2016 novel, The Red-Haired Woman, translated from the Turkish by Ekin Oklap.
Trevor and Betsy look at Alice Munro’s “Hold Me Fast, Don’t Let Me Pass,” from Friend of My Youth.
Daniel Mendelsohn has written a wonderful memoir that is both a touching and nuanced account of his relationship with his father as well as a fascinating look at the great epic The Odyssey.
Paul reviews Fiona Mozley’s debut novel, Elmet, recently shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Paul reviews Emily Fridlund’s debut novel, History of Wolves, which was recently shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Trevor and Betsy share their thoughts on Alice Munro’s “Five Points,” from her collection Friend of My Youth.
With John Ashbery’s passing on Sunday, at 90, The Library of America has moved up the publication date of their second volume of his poems, John Ashbery: Collected Poems 1991 – 2000. It’s filled to the brim with his unfettered language and his welcoming warmth.
Trevor and Betsy look at Alice Munro’s “Friend of My Youth,” the title story from her 1990 collection.