Books & Fiction: Are All Short Stories O. Henry Stories?

Plus: new poetry by Jorie Graham and Adam Zagajewski; and the man rewriting prison from inside. View in browser | Update your preferences Books Are All Short Stories O. Henry Stories? The writer’s signature style of ending—a final, thrilling note—has the touch of magic that distinguishes the form at its best. By Louis Menand Essays & Criticism The New Yorker Interview The Man Rewriting Prison from Inside Quntos KunQuest has been in Angola for twenty-five years. But his début novel, “This Life,” isn’t the usual story of time behind bars. By Jelani Cobb Page-Turner Watch Highlights from “Words of Desire” Three acclaimed authors discuss what makes for good writing about sex, in the latest installment of The New Yorker’s digital event series for subscribers. By The New Yorker A Critic at Large The Impossibility of Translating Franz Kafka From 1999: If Franz Kafka, who was born on this day in 1883, deemed it impossible to be himself, then what chance can a translator have to snare his mind? By Cynthia Ozick Books Briefly Noted “Everybody,” “Geniuses at War,” “Filthy Animals,” and “The Great Mistake.” Poetry Poems “Why” “There are no words / for why that I // can find fast / enough.” By Jorie Graham Poems “Boogie-Woogie” “You shout from the other room / You ask me how to spell boogie-woogie.” By Adam Zagajewski The Writer’s Voice The Writer’s Voice: Fiction from the Magazine Sam Lipsyte Reads “My Apology” The author reads his story from the July 5, 2021, issue of the magazine. More from The New Yorker Onward and Upward with the Arts Where Did That Cockatoo Come From? Birds native to Australasia are being found in Renaissance paintings—and in medieval manuscripts. Their presence exposes the depth of ancient trade routes. By Rebecca Mead Dept. of Returns The Dread of Getting Dressed On fashion, “frock consciousness,” and the post-pandemic invitation to appear. By Katy Waldman You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for Books & Fiction from The New Yorker. 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.