The Body of the DoctorI wrote this post in 2009. I thought, like so many of us, that surely — SURELY — shooting a doctor in a church was as bad as it could get…Jun 27, 2022Jun 27, 2022
The Surprising Optimism of Dystopian TeachingLast fall, I taught a class on dystopian fiction that seemed like an exercise in redundancy: The entire world was caught in what felt like…May 25, 2021May 25, 2021
The Season of Grief BaconEarly in Pandemic Time — so early that it almost seems like the Before Time — I was talking to a friend about the Covid Kilos. I’d been…Dec 25, 20206Dec 25, 20206
The Power of The Shadow KingI’ve been talking lately with my students about the question of history: how do we all navigate the weight of the history –the histories —…Oct 5, 2020Oct 5, 2020
The Biggest BluffA long time ago, I spent a rainy afternoon in a VW bus with three friends learning to play poker. We were in Montauk, at the easternmost…Sep 16, 2020Sep 16, 2020
You Old GirlsWhen was the last time you read a book that was about women’s friendships? Aside from Elsa Ferrante, that is? And what about friendships…Aug 14, 2020Aug 14, 2020
Dorian TrumpRemember the story of Dorian Gray and his portrait? It’s Oscar Wilde’s version of the Faust story, in which a beautiful young man sells…Jan 6, 2020Jan 6, 2020
A Tale of Two TotesBoth Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris put out Pride tote bags. Because they’re the only candidates I really care about (could the B-boys…Jul 12, 2019Jul 12, 2019
Aspiration: CroneQuarantine has me feeling old, old, old. I’m living in basically the same incredibly comfortable dress that is only about two steps…May 30, 2019May 30, 2019
World Preemie Day & Turning 17Those are my son’s feet, actual size, on the day he was born. He was a preemie, and although he was supposed to be a January Capricorn, he…Nov 17, 20171Nov 17, 20171