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.
Who Said It: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford or Simpsons Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby?
Is Wal-Mart in Trouble? Is Amazon to Blame?
Is Your State Bird a Stupid State Bird? What It Should Be Instead.