9 June 2010
I’ve been reading a lot of Jennifer Egan lately, and writing a little about her here. Teaching her stories, as well. So I jumped on the chance to read and review her newest work — a novel-in-stories — called A Visit From the Goon Squad, which hit the streets yesterday. Read my review at The Millions.
12 January 2009
I found Jennifer Egan‘s story “Safari,” from last week’s New Yorker, so very good. Both skillful and affecting. Those are the two punches we’re always going for, yes? I’d add a third: bold (i.e. risky), in both form and content.
Without over-analyzing too much… something about the story’s cerebral voice, coupled with child characters/perspectives, really works. ”Safari” is also I think a triumph of old-fashioned narrative omniscience, layered with contemporary characters and experience.