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Maren Longbella

Latest from Maren Longbella

Review: Tragedies pile up in Wally Lamb’s new novel, but will readers care?

Fiction: “The River Is Waiting” is a conventional white-dude-goes-to-prison book with the expected plot points.
June 10, 2025
In Greek mythology, Icarus tries to fly on waxed, feathered wings too close to the sun and falls into the sea. In "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus," thought to be by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Icarus is at lower right. The painting is referenced in W.H. Auden's poem named after a Brussels museum. In the poem, Auden reflects on how big things can happen as others remain unaware or indifferent.

Review: Stephen King’s Holly Gibney is back in ‘Never Flinch’

Fiction: Unfortunately, the “Mr. Mercedes” investigator is not in peak form this time out.
May 20, 2025
Stephen King

Review: What happens when a man accidentally writes his own obituary?

Fiction: “I See You’ve Called in Dead” is a comic novel about tragic events.
March 25, 2025
photo of author John Kenney

Review: Did you hear the one about the woman who was determined to be a clown?

Fiction: Kristen Arnett’s protagonist is passionate about her goal. No matter what anyone thinks.
March 10, 2025
photo of author Kristen Arnett

Review: Civil War-era ‘Jackal’s Mistress’ finds Chris Bohjalian hitting repeat

Fiction: A Confederate woman takes in a Union soldier in romantic thriller.
March 4, 2025
photo of author Chris Bohjalian

Review: What were the secret schools that helped prepare Black people to vote?

Nonfiction: “Spell Freedom” offers the untold stories of citizenship schools in the ‘50s and ’60s.
February 28, 2025
photo of author Elaine Weiss

Review: Two possible lovers glide along on songs they love in ‘Deep Cuts’

Fiction: Holly Brickley’s novel is (maybe) a romance that comes with a soundtrack.
February 24, 2025
photo of author Holly Brickley

Spellbinding things happen when a stranger enters ‘The Garden’

Fiction: Nick Newman’s novel alludes to Adam and Eve and “The Secret Garden.”
February 10, 2025
photo of author Nick Newman

Review: Civil War-era ‘Jackal’s Mistress’ finds Chris Bohjalian hitting repeat

Fiction: A Confederate woman takes in a Union soldier in romantic thriller.
March 4, 2025
photo of author Chris Bohjalian

Review: What were the secret schools that helped prepare Black people to vote?

Nonfiction: “Spell Freedom” offers the untold stories of citizenship schools in the ‘50s and ’60s.
February 28, 2025
photo of author Elaine Weiss

Review: Two possible lovers glide along on songs they love in ‘Deep Cuts’

Fiction: Holly Brickley’s novel is (maybe) a romance that comes with a soundtrack.
February 24, 2025
photo of author Holly Brickley

Spellbinding things happen when a stranger enters ‘The Garden’

Fiction: Nick Newman’s novel alludes to Adam and Eve and “The Secret Garden.”
February 10, 2025
photo of author Nick Newman
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