Category Archives: Reviews

Zyzak, The Ballad of Barnabas Pierkiel

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Ellen Akins

This was a tricky review to write, because the book was a sort that doesn’t appeal to me personally but is clearly a good book of its sort (I asked myself:  Would my husband like this?  And the answer was … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Zyzak, The Ballad of Barnabas Pierkiel

Matthew Olshan, The Marshlands, a review

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Ellen Akins

My review of a hauntingly grim and beautiful book, in the tradition of J. M. Coetzee, that reflects the tragic politics of our world through the prism of a story of fairytale-like specificity and universality.

Posted in All, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Matthew Olshan, The Marshlands, a review

Kyle Minor, Praying Drunk

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Ellen Akins

A review of an interesting book about turning life into stories and stories into life, published by Sarabande Books, a small and passionate publisher. (This book comes with a blurb from Daniel Handler, who’s seems to be everywhere lately–here, reviewing … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Kyle Minor, Praying Drunk

Leaving the Sea, by Ben Marcus, a review

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Ellen Akins

Also in Sunday’s Minneapolis Star Tribune (along with my Doctorow review) was my review of Ben Marcus‘s new story collection, Leaving the Sea. Here’s the wonderful Harper’s article that I mention in the review.  (And if you doubt that it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Blog, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Leaving the Sea, by Ben Marcus, a review

Andrew’s Brain, by E. L. Doctorow, a review

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Ellen Akins

On Sunday January 12, the Minneapolis Star Tribune published my review of E. L. Doctorow‘s new novel, Andrew’s Brain: Here’s a bonbon for your brain, from E.L. Doctorow’s. Or is it for your mind? That’s the question threading through the … Continue reading →

Posted in All, Blog, Reviews | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Andrew’s Brain, by E. L. Doctorow, a review