From Political Affairs, previous art theory/history has taken certain routes to understand art that always accidentally-on-purpose bypasses the most crucial element that can make sense of it. This is the role of the Aesthetic State Apparatus (ASA). The iMac as Bauhaus's progeny: What can an arts movement that shaped the machine-age 20th century offer to the high-tech 21st? Ideas that could prove just as vital in our own time. An interview with mad professor Natalie Jeremijenko, darling of the art crowd and geek set. Back From the Dead: An artist dies, the work's on life support. Should the living make it get up and walk? When Irish eyes are smiling: An article on the flourishing market for art from Ireland.
A great Czech novelist expounds his philosophy of the novel in The Curtain: an essay in seven parts, but it comes laden with strange prejudices. What matters to me: Novelist Mark McNay on memories, influences and the perfect Sunday. Self Taut: For the long-disparaged art of short fiction, a widening appreciation of the form. From NPQ, an interview with Nadine Gordimer: "It seems materialism has conquered all".
Battle of the book reviews: A war of words breaks out between print and Internet writers as newspapers cut back coverage. Here are the best business books of all time from a panel of CEOs and experts. Witty, breezy Mergers and Acquisitions loses it in last act: Dana Vachon is this season's publishing It boy (and more). Prescribed Reading: What future doctors (and patients) can learn from Tolstoy, Philip Roth — and The Secret.
Nathan Englander is worried. Not about anything in particular. He just worries. ''Everything's so overwhelming to me,'' says the author of The Ministry of Special Cases. Love's dual destiny seems like pot luck: Michiko Kakutani reviews The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver (and more). Carlin Romano reviews The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (and more and a profile and an excerpt). An interview with Jim Crace, author of The Pesthouse (and a review).
A review of Thick as Thieves: A Brother, A Sister - A True Story of Two Turbulent Lives by Steve Geng. And when John Preston discovered his aunt had helped unearth Anglo-Saxon gold at Sutton Hoo, he decided to dig further. He uncovered a story of intrigue and heartbreak that provided perfect material for his new novel (an a review of The Dig)
