Books & Fiction: Cynthia Ozick, Smasher of Idols

Plus: the poet Nathaniel Mackey, a personal history by Paul Theroux, and new poetry from Camille T. Dungy and Forrest Gander. View in browser | Update your preferences Books Cynthia Ozick, Smasher of Idols In her tenth decade, Ozick finds a new perspective on envy, ambition, and the perils of blind conviction. By Giles Harvey Essays & Criticism Life and Letters Nathaniel Mackey’s Long Song Listening to music with the poet whose alternative history of humankind intersects with the realities of Black life in America. By Hua Hsu Books “Midnight Cowboy,” and the Remaking of Hollywood A new book explores how the 1969 film became famous for being ahead of its time, and how it may be most revealing as an artifact of its time. By Louis Menand Books Briefly Noted “Plunder,” “A Little Devil in America,” “Brood,” and “Mona.” Newsletters Sign Up for The New Yorker’s Daily Humor Newsletter Cartoons and more funny stuff in your in-box. Personal History Facing Ka‘ena Point: On Turning Eighty My life has involved enormous upsets and reverses—illness, wealth, and near-bankruptcy, the usual snakes and ladders that people endure—except that I have been privileged to write about them. By Paul Theroux Poetry Poems “Let Me” “Let me tell you, America, this one last thing.” By Camille T. Dungy Poems “Post-Fire Forest” “If this landscape / is dreaming, it must dream itself awake.” By Forrest Gander The Writer’s Voice The Writer’s Voice: Fiction from the Magazine Clare Sestanovich Reads “Separation” The author reads her story from the April 12, 2021, issue of the magazine. More from The New Yorker Persons of Interest Changing the Story, in Court and Onstage Mary Kathryn Nagle is one of the leading lawyers advocating for tribal sovereignty—and one of the country’s most-produced Native playwrights. By Daniel Pollack-Pelzner Kitchen Notes A Very French Way to Poach an Egg Oeufs en meurette, a dish of eggs simmered in wine instead of water, makes an excellent brunch food. By Bill Buford You're receiving this e-mail because you signed up for . Was this e-mail forwarded to you? Sign up. Unsubscribe | Manage your e-mail preferences | Send newsletter feedback | View our Privacy Policy Copyright © Condé Nast 2021. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.