Arts and Letters Daily
- Darwin in ArabiaDarwin in Arabia. On the Origin of Species was published in 1859, but appeared in Arabic in 1918. One problem: no word in Arabic for “species”… more» […]
- Smart thinkingYou, too, can write a “smart thinking” book. Take an accessible idea, leaven with self-deprecation and heartwarming anecdotes. Then oversell your argument… more» […]
- Letters from Hugh Trevor-RoperHugh Trevor-Roper claimed his masterpiece was nearly done. But his wife was dubious. “Our attic is crowded with Chapter Ones. Never a Chapter Two”… more» […]
- Imaginary JewsDavid Nirenberg’s book is titled Anti-Judaism, but the book is not about Jews or, at least, not about real Jews; it’s about imaginary Jews… more» […]
- Beauty of languagesGerman is abrasive. French is the height of elegance. Italian sounds like poetry: Why do we find some languages more beautiful than others?… more» […]
- Scientism in the Arts and HumanitiesHere come the neurothugs, and Roger Scruton is ready for battle. Can neuroscience tell us anything meaningful about the nature and meaning of art?… more» […]
- But is it art?Dear Marcel Duchamp, thank you for inaugurating a great tradition of artistic banality and pseudo-avant-garde outrage… more» […]
- The renegade Arundhati RoyThe novelist Arundhati Roy’s political turn marked her as a dilettante and brought stone-throwing mobs to her home. She wouldn’t have it any other way… more» […]
- MFA vs. NYCMFA vs. NYC: campus quads vs. Brooklyn brownstones; agents vs. professors; short stories vs. novels; workshops vs. publishing parties… more» […]
The Local Book News
- Can Fan Fiction Go Mainstream?There’s a great article being referenced over at Old Musty Books about fan fiction. Did you know that 50 Shades of Grey started out as Twilight fan fiction? Check out the article: http://www.oldmustybooks.com/editorial/publishers-are-warming-to-fan-fiction-but-can-it-go-mainstream/ […]
- A UK Surgeon Successfully 3D Printed And Implanted A PelvisOn the one hand, this is AMAZING! on the other hand, Mary Shelley wrote about a similar concept with the new science of the day back in 1818. A British surgeon successfully implanted a 3-D printed pelvis for a man who lost half his pelvis to bone cancer, Madison Beerbohm of Healthpoint Capital reports. It […]
- Invention of Wings ReviewThere’s a review of Sue Monk Kidd’s The Invention of Wings at Old Musty Books, and there’s a reference to another reviewer’s take on the book in the same article. The Invention of Wings is a book about true historical figures. I had the opportunity to read the galley and truly great in all ways […]
- The Beatles’ Early HatersWith the expiration of copyright laws, there’s been an impressive amount of re-releases of songs by and books out about the the Beatles. The Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand” came out in America on December 26, 1963, almost exactly 50 years ago. That anniversary marks the expiration of some copyright laws in Europe, […]
- Review of book League of DenialWith CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) so much at the forefront of sports, specifically NFL and MLB, news right now, a review of the book League of Denial is worth sharing. According to the reviewer, this book will make you want to stop watching football. The book is League of Denial, from brothers Mark Fainaru-Wada (co-author […]
