Buy An Unfinished Life at Amazon
Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee (Penguin, $14). Here is a novel of sheer honesty in its depiction of a struggling man thrown up against the political and social canvas of his culture. Honest, too, in depicting how, like all of us must, he comes to paint his individual story.
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Plainsong by Kent Haruf (Vintage, $14). There is no writer I’ve read who can stand with Kent Haruf when it comes to the making of perfectly precise prose, and of characters of such generosity that readers must strive more diligently to better understand all the possibilities of what it means to be human.
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien (Broadway, $15). Tim O’Brien walks into the dark and confused heart of human brutality and gives it a face that any of us will recognize. It is our face that looks away in tears, as we drift into dreams of how our reflection could be improved. I know of no more honest book of war.
House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday (Perennial, $13). I read this book once, and then five more times right in a row, because I did not want it to ever end. I wanted so desperately to remain transformed by the language and the magical complexity of Momaday’s world.
Joe by Larry Brown (Warner, $19). This book is a masterpiece of place. Rarely have I read a novel that so transformed my sense of region. Rarely have I read a novel in which the complexity and honesty of the characters so transformed my sense of self.
All the Pretty Horses
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‘The worry is far from fanciful’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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How are Americans bracing for the end of SNAP?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Millions depend on supplemental federal food funds that are set to expire this month, as the government shutdown begins to be acutely felt
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Book review: ‘Joyride: A Memoir’Feature A journalist’s story of how she chased and accomplished her dreams
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Gilbert King’s 6 favorite books about the search for justiceFeature The journalist recommends works by Bryan Stevenson, David Grann, and more
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Nathan Harris’ 6 favorite books that turn adventures into revelationsFeature The author recommends works by Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McGuire, and more
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Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetimeFeature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
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Lou Berney’s 6 favorite books with powerful storytellingFeature The award-winning author recommends works by Dorothy B. Hughes, James McBride, and more
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Elizabeth Gilbert’s favorite books about women overcoming difficultiesFeature The author recommends works by Tove Jansson, Lauren Groff, and more
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Fannie Flagg’s 6 favorite books that sparked her imaginationFeature The author recommends works by Johanna Spyri, John Steinbeck, and more
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Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is moreFeature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
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Keith McNally's 6 favorite books that have ambitious charactersFeature The London-born restaurateur recommends works by Leo Tolstoy, John le Carré, and more
