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The Despair of the War Journalist
I watched a truly dreadful film on HBO recently, called “Hemingway & Gellhorn.” Sadly, a more laughable portrayal of the two writers in question cannot be imagined. This was doubly sad because I am quite a fan of Martha Gellhorn’s journalism and she was done no favors by this ridiculous film. However, I am happy…
Read MoreCreativity Boost
Students and readers often ask me how I keep my creative fires stoked, so here’s a list I’m working on. They are primarily for writers, but would work for anyone seeking to be more creative. I’ll post more as they occur to me: Listen to new-to-you music. Close your eyes, lean back and dream. Write…
Read More"The Beginner's Goodbye"
In case you’re interested, my review of Anne Tyler’s new novel, “The Beginner’s Goodbye” is up other at Truthdig.com. You can click here to read it. I just got back from Ottawa, where I was at the “Politics & the Pen” gala dinner, which raises money for the Writers Trust of Canada, and then over…
Read MoreThe Dirty Dozen
I was asked by OPEN BOOK TORONTO to share 12 unexpected things about myself. Here are the first three: I cook a really mean lamb tagine (and will share the recipe if you want it.) I have a secret crush on Vin Diesel. I also have a secret crush on Jeremy Irons. I think there’s…
Read MoreThe Shadow In The Mirror
I recently wrote an essay for “The 49th Shelf” about what happens when we think in terms of “us versus them,” a subject close to my heart, since it’s the theme of my recent novel, OUR DAILY BREAD. Here’s the beginning of it: At a dinner party recently, someone brought up the topic of Israel…
Read MoreEndings . . .
“Open Book Toronto” asked me, and a few other writer types, to talk about how to write endings. After pondering the question. . . . well, click here to find out what I said. Hint: It’s good to have one!
Read MoreThe Measure of Love's Loss
I recently reviewed Jeanette Winterson’s terrific new memoir — WHY BE HAPPY WHEN YOU COULD BE NORMAL — for Truthdig.com. Here’s the first bit: Jeanette Winterson’s novels circle round the same themes—the power of story and mythmaking, the fluidity of gender, monstrous mothers and the loss of love. Her pages are filled with references to…
Read MoreWaiting for Canada
Hello everyone, I’m deep in the first draft of a new novel, which is why I haven’t been as active as usual on this page. However, I did want to tell my Canadian fans that if they haven’t already bought a copy of OUR DAILY BREAD, they may have to wait a few weeks. Harper…
Read MoreGlimpse into the process
Pat Summers, a journalist here in Princeton, has written a lovely article about OUR DAILY BREAD, which also offers a peek into my writing process and the mysterious world of publishing. The article appears today in THE PRINCETON PACKET. Thanks very much to Pat, and to Michael James Redmond, the editor at THE PACKET. You…
Read MoreOUR DAILY BREAD named one of the "Best of 2011" by the Globe & Mail
I’m absolutely thrilled to pass on the news that OUR DAILY BREAD has been named one of the best books of 2011 by The Globe & Mail. I’m in pretty heady company, with Christoper Ondaatje, Elizabeth Hay, David Bezmozgis, Antanas Seleika and others. Thanks to everyone who believed in this book when others said it…
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