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Beirut Fragments, 2021
Charif Majdalani
‘We live with the permanent sense of imminent disaster.’
Charif Majdalani on the situation in Beirut. Translated from the French by Ruth Diver.
She Used to Sing Opera
Imogen Crimp
‘I used to be ashamed of it, though I’m not sure what exactly felt shameful.’
On training to be an opera singer.
Notes on Craft
Sara Freeman
Sara Freeman, author of Tides, on writing while seeing the wood for the trees.
Notes on Craft
Alex Hyde
‘The scrubbing of floors or rugs. People down on their knees, “tamping” the stain.’ Alex Hyde on the everyday gestures that make a life.
Best Book of 1930: The Man Without Qualities
Elaine L. Wang
Elaine L. Wang on the best book of 1930: The Man Without Qualities.
Best Book of 2012: The Round House
Larissa Pham
‘Nine years after publication, Erdrich’s text still feels timely, even urgent.’
Larissa Pham’s best book of 2012.
Best Book of 2019: A Month in Siena
Emmanuel Iduma
‘In art he finds the language with which to exchange mourning for some measure of equanimity.’
Emmanuel Iduma’s best book of 2019.
Best Book of 1982: A Boy’s Own Story
O Thiam Chin
‘It didn’t occur to me that reading and being a reader was two very distinct things, one an act and a skill, and the other a role and a persona’
O Thiam Chin’s best book of 1982.
Introduction: On Staying at Home
William Atkins
‘If the following pieces can be said to have an overriding characteristic, it is that they take seriously the experience of being a stranger.’
Guest editor William Atkins introduces the issue.
