“Comforting Myths” by Rabih Alameddine
This too-brief pair of essays nevertheless is a righteous and needed accusation against the publishing industry and the writers and readers who feed from it.
“The Island of Missing Trees” by Elif Shafak
Shafak’s mystical/botanical/fantastic narrator presides over a generations-suffering Cyprus full of complexities in politics and personalities. A terrific premise somewhat compromised by a weaker human drama.
“Riders of the Purple Sage” by Zane Grey
Grey’s classic Western lives up to its reputation of trope-filled storytelling while also surprising in lush scenery, realistic and tense action, and unexpected resolutions.
“A Face in the Crowd” by Stephen King
King’s quick novella is as predictable as a Twilight Zone rerun, but the characterizations and dark asides make it entertaining, anyway.
“End of the World and Hard-Boiled Wonderland” by Haruki Murakami (Rubin trans.)
Rubin’s new translation of this classic Murakami re-discovering the story in compelling ways: a must for Murakami fans!
“Anya’s Ghost” by Vera Brosgol –
What begins as a terrific premise of character and culture turns instead to supernatural adventure and a race against the evil. If only this were a bit more ambitious . . .
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