Archive for May, 2010
The Worst Movies I’ve Seen in My Life
When I spent a semester in London as a college junior — good Lord, over a quarter of a century ago now — I made a point of soaking up the culture of that storied city. That’s why I frequently went around the corner to the Kentucky Fried Chicken (it was still called that then), [...]
Happy Birthday, Albert Murray
My friend Albert Murray, the African-American cultural critic and novelist, turns ninety-four this week. Back in 1997 I was asked to give a tribute to him when he was presented with the Langston Hughes Award from City College of the City University of New York. Below are my remarks. Happy birthday, Mr. Murray. For people [...]
Saul Bellow
It may be instructive to view a novelist’s works as his or her children, all bearing the writer’s sensibilities — or genetic imprint, if you will — but in varying proportions and to greater or lesser success. I think I have read enough among the “offspring” of Saul Bellow at this point to see their [...]
