De Kaneelfabriek

In her insightful exploration of Danez Smith’s new poetry collection, Bluff, Diana Arterian captures the intricate balance of love and critique that defines Smith’s work. Drawing parallels to James Baldwin, Arterian suggests that Smith’s art is driven by deep affection for their subjects, including their homeland, identity, and community, even as it boldly confronts the…

I’m from Northeast USA and I normally articulate a syllable-initial L on the teeth or just above, same place as the T. Still, when I read the description, I can’t help but say it Nabokov’s way. This curious quirk of pronunciation speaks to the layers of identity we weave not just in language, but in…

Jane Rosenberg’s “Drawn Testimony” emerges as a profound exploration of the intersection between art and justice, as highlighted in Lauren Christensen’s review in The New York Times. This significant work compiles a series of illustrations and sketches created by Rosenberg while observing court proceedings, predominantly focused on the various trials of high-profile figures. Christensen expertly…

In this edition of Am I the Literary Asshole?, Kristen Arnett addresses a series of reader questions centered around the complexities of writing, literary preferences, and social responsibilities among friends in the literary community. The first inquiry touches on the socioeconomic aspects of pursuing a writing career, exploring whether writing is an endeavor suited only…

The article from Le Figaro explores the recent literary season’s essays, highlighting renowned authors such as Italo Calvino, Truman Capote, Joseph Conrad, and influential surrealists. It draws attention to the resurgence of interest in these classic writers, particularly in the context of contemporary societal issues and existential questions. The author emphasizes how Calvino’s playful narratives…

In the article, Paul Bierman highlights the profound implications of Greenland’s melting ice in relation to climate change. Written with a blend of personal experience and scientific inquiry, it explores the journey of ice cores extracted from beneath Greenland’s ice sheet, revealing evidence of a previously warmer climate where tundra vegetation thrived. The narrative begins…

Um… *pulls out phone* “Classic Authors Super Set Series” by Shandon Press. There are 3 volumes, Hugo is in the third. Today, as I leafed through the fragile pages of a faded book, I was struck by the near-physical sensation of time folding itself upon itself—the past exists not just as memory but as a…

In a captivating exploration by Ralph Blumenthal and Leslie Kean, the New York Times highlights the much-anticipated work of Luiz Elizondo, known for his role as a former intelligence officer at the Pentagon and a key figure in the study of unidentified aerial phenomena. The article underscores the imminent release of Elizondo’s forthcoming book, which…

In “The Unicorn Woman,” Gayl Jones transports readers to a post-World War II carnival in Central Kentucky, where a young man recalls his fascination with an enigmatic figure known as the Unicorn Woman. The narrative unfolds as he grapples with the surreal experience of witnessing this mythical being, marked by a spiraled horn protruding from…

In a reflective celebration of bygone print culture, Brittany Allen offers a captivating exploration of vintage magazine covers, drawing attention to a plethora of largely forgotten publications that adorned the 20th century. The article provides a visual feast of covers, revealing not only the stunning artistry of these nostalgic pieces but also the unique stories…