“Sometimes simply a wish to be daring” — Mary McCarthy does not agree that she’s a contrarian
“Your critics have referred to you as ‘Contrary Mary’ — yet you don’t see it as contrariness, do you?” “Sometimes I do. Sometimes I’m aware of it.” “And others?” “Sometimes… Read more »
Sady Doyle’s election-year syllabus
Today marks the publication of Sady Doyle’s hotly anticipated Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear… And Why (out today!). We got in touch to ask what the books are… Read more »
Mary McCarthy on the Jack Paar Show should be part of your Friday morning
This clip of Jack Paar interviewing Mary McCarthy in November 1963 will convince you of two things: Mary McCarthy was the best. Wowee, television has changed. The interview begins just after… Read more »
Eichmann’s German: what English-speaking viewers are missing in the new film, Hannah Arendt
This week marks the U.S. opening of Hannah Arendt, a movie from German director Margarethe von Trotta that portrays the months Hannah Arendt spent reporting on the trial of Adolf… Read more »
Wordsmiths, obviously, should know how to sting other writers. But some have proven especially good at it. Herewith, the ten historic barbs we think the most notable and the story… 1 / Read more »