Lan Samantha Chang‘s novel All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost appeared in the New York Times Book Review, making her and Tao Lin the 3rd and 4th Rumpus Book Club authors we’ve chosen who’s also been reviewed by New York’s esteemed publication. The review mostly focuses on the plot of Chang’s novel, and considering the book’s setting is a prestigious writing school, gives Chang credit for understanding her subject matter in and out.
The Harvard Crimson didn’t have such a favorable opinion of Chang’s work, saying that it “lacks polish and dimension.”
Tao Lin also got a write-up in the NY Times Book Review, in which Charles Bock describes what he sees as Lin’s strategy: “Lin aspires to the emotionally devastating work that is Yates’s legacy. If he falls short, though, he’s maintained enough ironic distance to have an out: Just kidding, see?”
Thad Higa narrates his highly anticipated encounter with the real-live Lin at a book talk, describing the experience with quite a dramatic flair in Seattle University’s The Spectator. “Lin approaches the stage, and I am taken aback,” Higa exclaims.
Remember John Brandon? A new review appeared of his novel Citrus County in Access Atlanta‘s Arts and Culture section.
Tablet Magazine has a must-read review of Adam Levin‘s The Instructions. The Jewish publication gives weight to Levin’s religious commentary, remarking: “The Instructions proclaims itself something like the first post-Jewish novel, one that leaves behind the modern-day Jewish literary tradition and starts over. That is to say, The Instructions purports to be a new work of scripture.”
Most of your favorite Book Club authors are going to make appearances at the San Francisco LitQuake. Don’t miss Tao Lin read at The Booksmith on October 4th; Doug Dorst at LitQuake’s first ever surf-themed reading event on October 4th, at, where else, Ocean Beach; Lan Samantha Chang reading from her novel at Book Passage in the Ferry Building on Tuesday, the 5th; and Adam Levin in conversation with Eli Horowitz on October 5th at the Jewish Community Center.
