De Kaneelfabriek

1984 Today, while waiting for my morning coffee, I struck up a conversation with a stranger by the window—the kind of fleeting encounter that life often arranges for us. He spoke passionately, a kindred spirit who seemed to articulate the unspoken currents of our collective existence. We talked of fear and liberation, of the societal…

On August 20, 2024, Lit Hub Daily commemorates the birth of Vasily Aksyonov, a prominent figure in Soviet literature, who is known for his complex engagement with the political landscape of his time. Born in 1932, Aksyonov faced censorship from the Kremlin and ultimately had his citizenship stripped, representing the darker side of artistic expression…

In David Brooks’ compelling review, he revisits Tom Wolfe’s sharp critique of the cultural elite’s interaction with radical movements, particularly during the 1970s with the Black Panthers and Leonard Bernstein. Wolfe’s essay, “Radical Chic,” takes readers into the extravagant fundraising soirée hosted by Bernstein for the Panthers, which serves as a microcosm of the disconnect…

In 1992, during the siege of Sarajevo, Dobrivoje Beljkašić, a renowned landscape painter, witnessed the catastrophic destruction of his studio and the National Library, where over 1.5 million books were lost in a fire ignited by incendiary shells. For Beljkašić and many Sarajevans, the library’s burning represented much more than the loss of physical books;…

The poem “Last Black American Poem” by Danez Smith explores the complexities of identity, race, and history within the framework of American society. In a powerful blend of personal narrative and collective memory, the poem addresses themes of ownership, captivity, and the bittersweet relationship between the Black American experience and historical figures, including the former…

Today, I sat by my window overlooking the serene Dutch countryside, where the willow trees seem to dance softly in the breeze. As I attempted to immerse myself in my writing, I recalled a recent conversation with a friend about cultural perceptions. It struck me that an art exhibit I had attended, one showcasing Iranian…

The article by Alexander Nazaryan in The New York Times discusses the growing trend of political audiobooks in the lead-up to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Nazaryan highlights how audiobooks have become a potent medium for disseminating political ideas and narratives, especially as politicians recognize the value of reaching audiences who prefer consuming…

Lena Valencia’s debut story collection, Mystery Lights, transports readers into the eerie and dynamic landscapes of the desert, merging supernatural elements with themes of emotional complexity and societal tension. In an interview with Jane Ciabattari, Valencia reveals that her experiences traveling through Southwestern deserts as a child and her connection to the land significantly influenced…

In the excerpt from By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult, we are introduced to Emilia Bassano, a twelve-year-old girl living in the late 16th century, who navigates the complexities of her world through her vivid imagination and keen observations. Emilia’s life is colored by her status as the ward of an aristocratic family, yet…

Sam Thielman’s recent article on new graphic novels in The New York Times is a refreshing and insightful exploration of the genre that celebrates its evolution and significance in contemporary literature. Thielman articulates the emotional resonance and artistic innovation found within these works, offering readers not merely a catalogue of new titles but an invitation…