Recommended Reading: Rachael Maddux’s “Hail Dayton,” which features one of the finest opening paragraphs ever printed.
“The town was called Dayton.”
“Never will I tire of that silvery fluidity”
“I hope this prize will incite thousands of British women to take close-up photos of their lovers’ bodies in all states of array and disarray.” Literary Review calls out the year’s most abominable sex scene.
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Tuesday New Release Day: Russell, Koch, Crace, Mohr, Binchy, Conklin, Lasdun
New this week: Karen Russell's new collection Vampires in the Lemon Grove; buzzed-about thriller The Dinner by Herman Koch; Harvest by Jim Crace; Fight Song by Joshua Mohr; the final novel of the late Maeve Binchy, A Week in Winter; Tara Conklin's debut The House Girl; and James Lasdun's non-fiction Give Me Everything You Have: On Being Stalked.
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Identical Halves
“By running two lives that started from the same point off along divergent tracks, they throw up questions about our uniqueness, and the chances and choices that make us who we are.” On identical twins in literature, from Stephen King to Shakespeare. Also check out Ramona Ausubel’s essay on first children and first novels.
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How to Write Like a Cartoonist
“Pop Quiz: Which word is funnier, observe or stalk?” Scott Adams, creator of “Dilbert,” gives some tips on how to write like a cartoonist.
@NickMoran
Wow. I agree. I also loved “besot by hyper-conservative goofery.”
I just forwarded “Hail Dayton” to a student I’m coaching, who fears she is irredeemably lackluster as a writer. I disagree. I think she has been beaten down by an idiot of a boss who “doesn’t like” her writing but can give her absolutely no specifics as to why. What I would like would be to stride into her office and smite him.
My student’s assignment is to let the words of “Hail Dayton” wash over her.
I am very excited about discovering Rachel Maddux. What a one-of-a-kind voice she [email protected]
Moe Murph
Least Favorite Comment: “There’s something wrong with it but I don’t know what it is.”
@Moe Murph, agreed! Hope you get to smite and soon!