Articles by Sonya Chung

August 30, 2010

The Great Gatsby Revisited 12

What struck me most is how The Great Gatsby as a “literary treasure,” as something we refer to as a classic, is so much less than what the novel actually is – which is something both gorgeously and impeccably wrought.

July 27, 2010

Literary Endings: Pretty Bows, Blunt Axes, and Modular Furniture 12

It’s tempting to imagine a linear spectrum of ending “types,” with tied-up-in-a-bow on one end, chopped-off-with-a-blunt-ax on the other. But really, there are so many different kinds of literary endings. What constitutes “satisfying” for different readers?

July 14, 2010

Goodreads Debut Author Discussion 0

At Goodreads, join debut novelists Malena Watrous, Peter Bognanni, Emily Gray Tedrowe, and Sonya Chung for a meaty and candid discussion, including confessions about procrastination and the fact that we all actually really enjoy writing.  Moderated by Katrina Kittle. Click here to join.

July 10, 2010

Marilynne Robinson on The Daily Show 0

Author Marilynne Robinson appeared on “The Daily Show” Thursday night.  No kidding.  She talked about Absence of Mind, her new work of nonfiction, about the relationship between science and religion. (via The Observer)

June 8, 2010

Ah, The Children: Jennifer Egan’s A Visit From the Goon Squad 3

Fans of Egan’s previous novels will be intrigued and excited, I think, to delve into her work in this new (for her) collage, time-shifty, polyphonic form.

June 2, 2010

It’s Not You, It’s Me: Breaking Up With Books 71

Recently it struck me that the list of books I’ve started and not finished has grown quite formidable. I ask myself what this “means,” if it reflects some kind of moral devolution.