New Fiction by Jamil Jan Kochai—An Interview with Wole Soyinka—Anne Carson’s Obsession with Herakles

Plus: Ben Lerner reads Julio Cortázar, and celebrating ninety years of George Booth’s cartoons. View in browser | Update your preferences Fiction “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak” “You should update your superiors. You should advise them to abort the operation. But you won’t. Not now.” By Jamil Jan Kochai This Week in Fiction Jamil Jan Kochai on Americans’ Fear of Islam The author discusses “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak,” his story from the latest issue of the magazine. By Deborah Treisman Fiction “Playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” If you liked “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak,” we think that you’ll enjoy this story, from 2019. By Jamil Jan Kochai Essays & Interviews Q. & A. The Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka Discusses His First Novel in Nearly Fifty Years The Nigerian writer explains the origins of his latest book’s title, why novels are harder to write than plays, and the masochistic pull of political activism. By Vinson Cunningham Books Anne Carson’s Obsession with Herakles In “H of H Playbook,” the poet considers war, guilt, and the mythological strongman. By Casey Cep Fiction Podcast Fiction Podcast Ben Lerner Reads Julio Cortázar The author joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss “In the Name of Bobby,” by Julio Cortázar, which was published in a 1979 issue of the magazine. More from The New Yorker The New Yorker Live Celebrating Ninety Years of George Booth’s Cartoons On November 18th, tune in for the première of a short film about the acclaimed work of the cartoonist George Booth, followed by a conversation with New Yorker cartoonists, exclusively for subscribers. A Critic at Large When “Foundation” Gets the Blockbuster Treatment, Isaac Asimov’s Vision Gets Lost The TV version of the classic sci-fi saga sidelines its source’s most pressing questions about power and precarity. By Julian Lucas 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.