DOUGLAS FIELD relishes the hard-boiled language, satire and humour of the third and last of the Harlem trilogy
Latest editorial
In praise of failure
Andy Hedgecock interviews novelist LARS IYER on the publication of his new book My Weil, and the need for robust friendships in terrible times
[David Hall]
STEPHANIE BROWN draws attention to the hidden labour of the female embroiderers, and how a 19th century replica made no such error
MIK SABIERS revels in a band that ploughs an idiosyncratic furrow of expletive laden, guitar-driven alt rock
ANDY HEDGECOCK, MARIA DUARTE and ANGUS REID review Synthetic Sincerity, Our Hero, Balthazar, Heartstopper Forever, and A Year In London
The bard invites readers to a gig, raps for Clacton, and lays out the Burnham-Hurzeler conundrum
RON JACOBS recommends an important book that enhances the oppositional theories put forth by Fanon and, in doing so, remakes psychology itself
THE late EL Doctorow lamented the narrowness of contemporary fiction, suggesting it has “given up the realm of public discourse and the social and political novel.”
The work of Lars Iyer belies Doctorow’s pessimism. Iyer’s stories are unflinching examinations of the commodification and plunder of our economy, society and culture. What’s more, he’s one of very few writers to make me laugh out loud on the bus to work.
“Laughter is important — it’s necessary to breathe,” says Iyer, citing the Romanian philosopher EM Cioran’s view of writing as an escape from the suffocation of oppression.
Similar stories
Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners co-founder MIKE JACKSON talks to Matt Kerr about the enduring power of Pride, protest and trade unionism
CHRIS SEARLE urges you to listen to two new albums by the US Indian pianist VIJAY IYER
Ron's rages are sincere and — according to his wife — healthily cathartic. But can these splenetic outbursts loosen the grip of capitalism at its most monstrous?
KEN COCKBURN relishes the memoir of a translator, but wonders whether the autobiography underlying the impulse would make a better book