The Prose Factory by DJ Taylor review – a lament for Grub Street

DJ Taylor’s survey of the English literary scene of the last century is vivid and rich but lacks analysisTo Dr Johnson, it was Grub Street, where “no man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money”. To Thackeray, it was “the Corporation of the Goosequill”. In the 20th century, Bloomsbury’s Frances Partridge would refer to “the Prose Factory”, the starting point for DJ Taylor’s investigation of a most peculiar “factory”.For instance, while trading conditions and the means of production have changed beyond recognition, the product itself remains remarkably resilient. An 18th-century coachman might be astonished by an inter-city bus, but his passengers would still recognise the 21st-century book. Related: DJ Taylor: 'I set out with every intention of just being a novelist. But then I got diverted …' Future generations will be mystified by 'galleys' and 'hot metal' but thrilled by the lunches and the long weekendsIf the book has an argument beneath its research, it is that the republic of letters has gone to the dogs Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2016-01-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children's Starred Reviews 2023: All of Our Stars

Our Children’s Starred Reviews Annual features nearly 400 reviews of exceptional books for young readers, a selection of interviews with some of today’s top authors and illustrators, our 50 Best Books of 2023, and a cover by Vashti Harrison. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Review: ‘Critical Hits,’ edited by J. Robert Lennon and Carmen Maria Machado

In the anthology “Critical Hits,” gamers like Hanif Abdurraqib, Alexander Chee and Larissa Pham explain what the medium means to them. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-20 10:00:28 UTC ]
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‘Going Infinite’ Audiobook Review: Michael Lewis Tells His Own Story of Sam Bankman-Fried

“Going Infinite” may have missed the big takeaway, but it offers at least one undeniable pleasure: deep access. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-17 14:25:02 UTC ]
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Book Review: ‘The Manuscripts Club,’ by Christopher de Hamel

The bibliophiles in Christopher de Hamel’s lavishly illustrated book ensured the survival of medieval texts over centuries. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-11 10:00:39 UTC ]
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Book Review Podcast: Talking Rebecca Yarros and Barbra Streisand

Alexandra Alter talks about her profile of the best-selling author behind “Fourth Wing” and Alexandra Jacobs discusses her review of “My Name is Barbra.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-10 18:47:36 UTC ]
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Roli Seaboard Rise 2 review: I wish I had a horror movie to score

I am, primarily, a guitarist. Dabbling in keys and synths has always felt a bit unnatural from a physical standpoint. A keyboard doesn’t respond the way a fretted instrument does. This isn’t surprising, nor is it a bad thing. It’s just not what I’m used to. The better... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-11-10 15:00:28 UTC ]
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Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini review: Excellent and expensive

The Sonos Beam has been our top pick for compact soundbars for a while now. It offers a lot in a small package and the second-gen version also supports more immersive Dolby Atmos audio. The Beam doesn’t have any upfiring drivers though, so the impact of that spatial... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-11-09 18:30:45 UTC ]
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The 'Wall Street Journal' Drops Its Bestseller Lists

With this past weekend's edition, the 'Journal' has ended running weekly bestseller lists. The paper had carried a total of seven lists. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-07 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Review: Children’s Science Fiction Novels by Donna Barba Higuera, Patricia Forde and Jeanne DuPrau

Jeanne DuPrau’s “Project F,” Patricia Forde’s “The Girl Who Fell to Earth” and Donna Barba Higuera’s “Alebrijes” answer the question, Could this be the beginning of the end? Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-11-03 09:01:10 UTC ]
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Goodreads Asks Users to Help Combat ‘Review Bombing’

In an October 30 message, Goodreads officials urged users to report activity designed to “harass readers or authors, or attempt to artificially deflate or inflate the overall rating” of books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-11-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Lenovo Smart Paper review: A solid e-ink tablet spoiled by the cost

Despite an infatuation with most things e-ink, I’ve resisted the world of e-ink notebooks. I’m one of the few who once owned a Kindle DX, that huge e-reader that existed for only a few years before being retired. In the last few years, we’ve seen Amazon get into e-ink... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-10-30 13:30:56 UTC ]
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“The Woman in Me,” Reviewed: What Britney Spears’s Memoir Has to Say

In “The Woman in Me,” the pop star mines her extraordinary story for generic lessons. But the details speak for themselves. Continue reading at New Yorker

[ New Yorker | 2023-10-29 19:33:11 UTC ]
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‘Roughing the Princess’: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Fanfic Angers Fans

“Roughing the Princess,” an erotic e-book inspired by an actual relationship, veered too close to reality for many of Taylor Swift’s fans. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-10-25 13:45:13 UTC ]
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Audiobook Review: ‘The Woman in Me,’ by Britney Spears

The actor Michelle Williams reads the audiobook version of the recently liberated pop star’s memoir, “The Woman in Me.” Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-10-24 21:32:55 UTC ]
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Book Review: ‘The Upstairs Delicatessen,’ by Dwight Garner

“The Upstairs Delicatessen,” a memoir by Dwight Garner of The New York Times, traces his life’s twin passions. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-10-24 09:00:14 UTC ]
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Review: Britney Spears' memoir is a Gothic horror story

From her Louisiana roots to the quasi-imprisonment of her conservatorship, Britney Spears' 'The Woman in Me' paints the pop star's life as a Victorian nightmare. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-10-20 20:46:28 UTC ]
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Book Review: John Plotz on Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea

In this week’s Dispatches from The Secret Library, Dr Oliver Tearle reviews John Plotz’s personal reading of a fantasy classic by Ursula K. Le Guin The American author Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) is widely regarded as one of the finest authors of what is broadly termed ‘speculative fiction’.... Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2023-10-13 14:00:53 UTC ]
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What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the Week

Bryan Washington’s Family Meal, Mary Gabriel’s Madonna: A Rebel Life, Jhumpa Lahiri’s Roman Stories, andWerner Herzog’s Every Man for Himself and God Against All all feature among the Best Reviewed Books of the Week. Brought to you by Book Marks, Lit Hub’s book review aggregator. * Fiction 1.... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-10-13 11:00:52 UTC ]
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Obituary: Janet Taylor Lisle

Acclaimed children's author Janet Taylor Lisle, lauded for her novels featuring complex characters in stories blending everyday life with elements of mystery and magic, died on October 5 in Boston. She was 76. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-10-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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