The Violence of Human Folly in “You Glow in the Dark” by Liliana Colanzi – Chicago Review of Books

The Violence of Human Folly in “You Glow in the Dark” by Liliana Colanzi – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Radioactivity haunts Liliana Colanzi’s short stories. In You Glow in the Dark, translated from the Spanish by Chris Andrews, real-world poisons seep into her characters and their communities, and violence simmers in the air. Despite people’s attempts to reach for better, the world’s sharp edges tend to find them. Colanzi’s landscapes draw from corrupt, … Read more

Aniefiok “Neef” Ekpoudom on the Seemingly-Meteoric Rise of UK Rap and Grime – Chicago Review of Books

Aniefiok “Neef” Ekpoudom on the Seemingly-Meteoric Rise of UK Rap and Grime – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] The Chicago Review of Books is proud to partner with The Chills at Will Podcast to share new audio interviews with today’s brightest literary stars, including Jonathan Escoffery, Morgan Talty, Deesha Philyaw, Luis Alberto Urrea, and more. Hosted by Peter Riehl, The Chills at Will Podcast is a celebration of the visceral beauty of … Read more

Shayla Lawson on Living Free in a Dangerous World – Chicago Review of Books

Shayla Lawson on Living Free in a Dangerous World – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] I think Shayla Lawson is a literary genius, so their new book, How to Live Free in a Dangerous World, was among my top most anticipated 2024 titles. Shayla is not only whip-smart—agonizingly careful with each word and comma, so every sentence they write packs a punch—but they’re also masterful at making connections. They … Read more

Silence and Shame in “Ordinary Human Failings” – Chicago Review of Books

Silence and Shame in “Ordinary Human Failings” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Megan Nolan’s highly-anticipated sophomore novel carries the author’s essential voice into new and familiar territories. As a writer of essays, criticism, and fiction, Nolan is undoubtedly skilled at expounding facets of culture that divide and unite; her previous work, such as her column in The New Statesmen, explores modern anxieties, aesthetics, ideas of place … Read more

A Conversation with Amina Akhtar on “Almost Surely Dead” – Chicago Review of Books

A Conversation with Amina Akhtar on “Almost Surely Dead” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] On the way home from work, Dunia Ahmed is attacked and nearly flung to her death onto New York City subway tracks. When strangers manage to rescue her, the man who would have been her murderer ends his own life instead. The mystery of why someone Dunia had never met wanted her dead takes … Read more

Cis Male Heartbreak in Dolly Alderton’s “Good Material” – Chicago Review of Books

Cis Male Heartbreak in Dolly Alderton’s “Good Material” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Dolly Alderton’s central narrative preoccupation across all her books has remained the same: depicting the tumult of seeking romantic love in one’s twenties and thirties, with all the attendant anxieties of false promises and disillusioned hopes. In Alderton’s first novel, Ghosts, a thirtysomething food writer, Nina, embarks on a fling that seems to promise … Read more

12 Must-Read Books of February 2024 – Chicago Review of Books

12 Must-Read Books of February 2024 – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s certainly full of exciting new releases! Here in Chicago, we’re trying to adjust to a winter that has been notably inconsistent. From frigid temperatures and snow to now relatively balmy temperatures, we’re here to say that things are certainly heating up both outside … Read more

Searching for Humanity’s Future in Bora Chung’s “Your Utopia” – Chicago Review of Books

Searching for Humanity’s Future in Bora Chung’s “Your Utopia” – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] Bora Chung takes readers on a journey to the unexpected in her latest short story collection, Your Utopia. In her 2022 collection, Cursed Bunny, Chung showed us many types of monsters in stories ranging in varying degrees from speculative fiction to supernatural to horror. In Your Utopia, the narratives are decidedly more science fiction … Read more

Risking It All in The Mayor of Maxwell Street – Chicago Review of Books

Risking It All in The Mayor of Maxwell Street – Chicago Review of Books

[ad_1] In my opinion, writing historical fiction is somewhat of a Herculean task. While absolutely nothing about writing any novel is easy, there are unique difficulties that come with writing this specific genre. Oftentimes, extensive research is necessary to accurately reflect the appropriate language, clothes, and settings. More importantly though, authors of historical fiction must … Read more