Posts by author
Michelle Dean
-
A Pussy Riot Roundup
I’d write you something about Pussy Riot, but I am, personally, totally exhausted by the avalanche of commentary which does not appear to consider the particular political and religious context in Russia, and I would be incapable of doing anything…
-
SATURDAY HISTORY LESSON: Rebecca West, H.G. Wells, and Anthony Panther West
She’s always the subject of grand narratives about the “strong,” “modern,” or “new” woman
-
About David Rakoff
I did not know David Rakoff, never so much as met him, and I did not know that he was in these last few weeks quite as sick as he clearly was, but for weeks before his death I’d been…
-
My Mother Always Told Me Nice Is As Nice Does
At Slate, yesterday, Jacob Silverman wrote a piece denouncing the pernicious trend of “enthusiasm” he detects in the online literary universe. (BREAKING: People might still like and read books.) He holds up the writer Emma Straub’s Twitter feed as exhibit…
-
A Brief Saturday Rumpus History Lesson on Envy
I can’t stay here long today as some other pressing obligations call. But there’s been a higher than average amount of chatter about writerly jealousy this week. I assure you if you think I’m being vague to cover for that…
-
The Saturday Rumpus Interview With Lauren Kirshner
Lauren Kirshner’s Where We Have To Go is the story of Lucy, a Jewish girl growing up in the wilds of Toronto, who adores cats and aliens from the planet Melmac.
-
Saturday Rumpus Found Poetry: Rejection Letter Edition
A talented and hilarious friend of mine, Katie Coyle, is now about two months post-partum on her MFA.
-
Saturday History Lesson: That Time Edith Wharton Wrote Erotica
If you’ve never been to an archive, this is what it’s like: you will go mad from the hum of cranked up air-conditioning. You are usually only allowed to bring a pencil.
-
A Few Other Saturday Links
It’s too hot to write much. Days like this are better for reading, and I have some eighty-year-old love letters calling my name. I can’t offer you those, but here are other things you can read while reclining with a…
-
Richard Brautigan’s Poems On Seed Packets
I have been trying, and mostly failing, to grow wildflowers in my rocky, slug-filled backyard here in Queens. I am not a gardener; I’m indifferent to everything below cats on the food chain, as a general rule. You have to…
-
Today I Will Let You Have Your Saturday To Yourself
Friends, comrades, Rumpusers (Rumpusans? Rumpaloompas? Sorry), I am taking a mental health day today. However! I did write something about Sheila Heti’s new book for Slate this week that you are welcome to read. I suggest taking a powder on…
-
A Saturday Rumpus Advisory About the E-book Antitrust Lawsuit
Monday is the deadline for the public to comment on the settlements in the antitrust lawsuit the Department of Justice brought against several publishers, and Apple, for colluding against Amazon.