Essays
February 15, 2012
One-Armed Gunslingers and Germans in Teepees: A Brief Guide to the Euro-Western 3
by Daniel Kalder
There is a spectacular scene featuring three Mexican assassins and a devilish monkey. The masterful silent choreography is a vivid reminder that Jodorowsky is the only trained mime ever to write a Western.
February 15, 2012
On Getting Paid: Literary Magazines and Remuneration 36
by Nick Ripatrazone
The economy of literary magazines appears to be a closed system. Money is tight, payment is low, and subscriptions and institutional support appear to be the final hope for sustenance. Does it have to be that way?
February 14, 2012
Special Effects: Gone with the Wind and Genre Difficulties 5
by Brian Ted Jones
If the takeaway from this essay is that Gone with the Wind lacks the status of an epic romance — that it is, in fact, nothing but a love story with two rather bratty protagonists — my wife is not going to be happy with me.
February 13, 2012
Some Other, Better Bernhard, or the Rights and Wrongs of Readership 6
by Sam Allingham
How did such an unpleasant author fashion such a stunning coup? Is it because he isn’t as unpleasant as everyone says he is?
February 10, 2012
War Games: On Roberto Bolaño’s The Third Reich 7
by Anthony Paletta
A mail-in card in my copy of “Richtofen’s War: The Air War 1914-1918″ reads, “Please send me your colorful brochure describing all Avalon Hill games and Play-by-Mail kits and your exclusive gaming magazine. I swear that I have the necessary grey-matter to enjoy your games.”
February 9, 2012
Lady Parts: Caitlin Flanagan and H.G. Wells on Wayward Girls 16
by Lydia Kiesling
Upon completing A Man of Parts and Girl Land, the new offering from Caitlin Flanagan, I know that our young girls are in extreme peril: if they are not succored by their families, they will wind up in nude animal ecstasy with H.G. Wells.
