In 1964, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin wrote Marvel icon Stan Lee a fan letter.
A Budding Fan
“Ephphatha!”
Recommended Reading: “Saliva” by Álvaro Enrigue, whose English-language debut Hypothermia was published this month by the folks at Dalkey Archive Press.
●
●
Translation Troubles
At Words Without Borders, Scott Esposito examines the thorny issues of reviewing books in translation, when it may not be clear exactly who to blame or praise, the author or the translator.
●
●
You Can’t Take His Word for It
“The suit is the most recent legal move in a years-long dispute between Burton and the broadcaster that originated the series.” New York Magazine's Vulture blog reports that LeVar Burton is being sued by WNED-TV in Buffalo, NY over the continued use of his famous Reading Rainbow tagline, “but you don't have to take my word for it.”
●
●
Tuesday New Release Day: Aira, Wallace, Costello
New Directions releases César Aira's The Hare this week. The novel was featured on our Great Second-Half 2013 Book Preview not long ago. Today also marks the release date for David Foster Wallace and Mark Costello's Signifying Rappers, which is being re-released by Little, Brown.
●
●
Hardcover Beauties
Penguin is putting out snazzy, mesmerizing, jacket-less hardcover editions of a number of classics. These remind of the old books on my parents' shelves. You won't be able to get your hands on these for a few months though.
●
●
Experience + Openness + Neurology
"It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes a great artist creative" but The Atlantic makes a strong attempt and cites the story behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as an example of what can happen "when experience, openness, and the right neurology come together."
It Is Shark Week, After All
Bret Easton Ellis is collaborating with Taxi Driver director Paul Schrader on a new "psychological horror" movie about sharks. Coincidentally, HTMLGiant's Blake Butler just revisited Ellis' infamous novel American Psycho.
●
●