Book Blitz

Close Reading

Slate takes a look at recent fiction.

This week, Slate inaugurates its first “Book Blitz” with a look at this fall’s notable novels, as well as issues surrounding contemporary fiction:

Monday

Roll Call: Who are novelists voting for?” posted Oct. 11 2004.

The Plot Against America: So, is Roth’s novel an allegory of the current situation, or not?” by Nicholas Lemann and Judith Shulevitz, posted Oct. 11, 2004.

Tuesday

The Facts: Philip Roth revisits an era when America’s pluralist future was far from certain,” by David Greenberg, posted Oct. 12, 2004.

Poppins for Parents: In a batch of new fiction, it’s the grown-ups who need nannying,” by Ann Hulbert, posted Oct. 12, 2004.

Mission Impossible: Why is Henry James the subject of two recent novels?” by Stephen Metcalf, posted Oct. 12, 2004.

Scents and Sensibility: Has American fiction been deodorized?” by Vendela Vida, posted Oct. 12, 2004.

The Plot Against America: Why Roth’s novel isn’t allegorical, or sentimental,” by Nicholas Lemann and Judith Shulevitz, posted Oct. 12, 2004.

Wednesday

Operation Homeland Therapy: The NEA’s new writing program for soldiers,” by Aleksandar Hemon, posted Oct. 13, 2004.

The Plot Against America: Varieties of paranoia,” by Nicholas Lemann and Judith Shulevitz, posted Oct. 13, 2004.

Thursday

The Plot Against America: The indigenous American berserk,” by Nicholas Lemann and Judith Shulevitz, posted Oct. 14, 2004.

Friday

The Plot Against America: America is exceptional,” by Nicholas Lemann and Judith Shulevitz, posted Oct. 15, 2004.

What’s With All the ‘National Best Sellers’?: How so many books get to the top of the charts,” by Sean Rocha, posted Oct. 15, 2004.