Crimson staff writer
Miriam M. Barnum
Latest Content
'War, So Much War' a Catalan Master Novelist's Grown-Up Fairy Tale
In her novel "War, so much War," the late Catalan writer Mercè Rodoreda successfully weaves an intricate allegorical examination of evil, both beautiful and disturbing, without the simplistic moralizing of many fairy tales.
'Coup de Foudre' a Clever Collection
Kalfus is at his best when he isn't trying too hard to be innovative, when he embraces the oddities that give his stories their spark without forgetting the need for character development and a sense of closure.
'The Dream of My Return' a Nuanced Dream
Castellanos Moya demonstrates his facility with the stream of consciousness narrative, masterfully depicting the psyche of an exiled journalist trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare of anxiety and paranoia.
'Aureate Gloom' Uninspired Moroseness
"Aureate Gloom" shows that of Montreal's wellspring of stylistic creativity is drying up.
'The Country of Ice Cream Star' Shines
If there is any weakness in “The Country of Ice Cream Star,” it is that it tries too hard to do too many things. Newman seems driven by a compulsion to ensure no dystopian trope is neglected.
“Clocks” Worth Your Time
It is difficult for a single review to capture everything that is David Mitchell's “The Bone Clocks.” The novel is by turns family drama, political commentary, cultural history, fantasy epic, and post-apocalyptic vision.
All "Bark" and No Bite
"Bark" is unable to accomplish its goals without descending into its own form of absurdity—an expanse of self-conscious irony, uninspired metaphors, and general narrative aimlessness.
"Ripper" Not Quite a Thriller
While “Ripper” is an enjoyable read and a generally successful novel, it is also an experiment with mystery writing—one that suggests Allende's prodigious talents are most effectively used in the genres with which she is most familiar.
The Harvard Grade Generator
By now everyone's heard the news: Harvard hands out good grades like candy. Dining halls are alive with the sounds of students wondering who is getting all of these apparently ever-so-abundant As.
New Policy on Harvard Business Review Articles Sparks Debate
A spokesperson maintains that the Aug. 1 restrictions do not represent a new policy, but rather a means of enforcing existing terms of use.
Los Campesinos! Know "Blues"
The lively, passionate sound that kick-started the career of Los Campesinos! career is still there, tempered by a sense of despair. The imagery is rich, but in typical indie-angst fashion, it's hard to tell if Paisley is meditating on the transience of life or merely upset over his latest heartbreak.
The Best Internet Reactions to News of J. K. Rowling's 'Fantastic Beasts' Movie Adaptations
The news that J. K. Rowling's "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is going to be adapted into a movie series inspired a multitude of different emotions. Here are the craziest.
A Tired Apocalypse
For Atwood’s established readers, “MaddAddam” provides the excitement of returning to the world she so vividly created in “Oryx and Crake” and “The Year of the Flood,” as well as a sense of closure previously absent. But the new novel pales in comparison to its predecessors.
