Crimson staff writer
Laura B. Martens
Latest Content
‘Cross’ Review: Almost Brilliant, Needs Quotation Marks
“Cross” is a hard book to read, but Duffy’s beautiful language and character-focused storytelling style do justice to a particularly complex period of history.
‘Arcane’ Season 2: A Masterful Reflection on Loss
Building on earlier themes of technological costs and warring sects of society, at its heart, season two is about loss and the things people do in its wake.
Artist Profile: The Life and Times of ‘Jacques Ze Whipper’
"Jacques Ze Whipper" began his whipping career in the pit by Harvard's T Station, using circus skills he'd learned from his father to astound pedestrians.
Side Parts in Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
By side part, I refer to the iconic hairstyles in the film that simultaneously defy all sense of historical logic and firmly anchor “Nosferatu” as a product of the early 1920s.
Sebastian Smee’s Impressions on Impressionism: Boston Book Festival Art History Keynote
Sebastian Smee delivered the Art History keynote at the Boston Book Festival, speaking on impressionism and its broader political context.
‘The Mighty Red’ Review: A Novel for the Ages
"The Mighty Red" by Louise Erdrich may very well be "The Great Gatsby" of our time, featuring rich dialogue and imagery and well-developed characters.
A Messy Masterpiece: Why ‘Bridgerton’ Works
“Bridgerton” costuming is replete with lavish masterpieces that practically overflow with anachronisms.
Tradwives and the Monetization of Womanhood
The Tradwife debate has centered itself on Neeleman — if she’s oppressed, if she’s empowered, if the life she leads is aspirational or horrifying.
‘Spring Awakening’ Review: A Beautiful Performance Lacking in Subversion
Harvard’s 2024 adaptation of "Spring Awakening," for all its incredible artistic talent, lacks the subversive and defiant tone that is so crucial to its source.
The Price of Fashion: The American Dream Is a Birkin Bag
Fashion has been used throughout history to broadcast various aspects of one’s identity, from social class and cultural background to personality.
‘Joyce Carol Oates: Letters to a Biographer’ Review: Understanding The Dark Lady of American Letters
In this epistolary collection, Greg Johnson gives readers a glimpse into Oates's professional life, writing process, and poignant humanity.
Ghungroo’s 36th Annual Production: A Vibrant Celebration of Connection, Community, and Tradition
Through a blend of poetry, dance, music, comedy, and set design, Harvard’s Ghungroo honors South Asian culture while creating a welcoming community for its members.
What ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ Was Missing: Percy Isn’t Percy Without the Signature Humor
Even with a budget of $12–15 million per episode and successful visuals, music, and casting, many viewers still came away feeling like something was missing.
