For a story about the deadlock within an age-old French institution, our Paris bureau chief was obligated to adopt their approach of moving slowly.
Tag: Books and Literature
The Guardians of the French Language Are Deadlocked, Just Like Their Country
The “Immortals” of the Académie Française have failed to fill four seats, a paralysis that reflects France’s own struggle to adapt to the 21st century.
Charles Dickens Tried to Banish His Wife to an Asylum, Letters Show
Newly published correspondence gives Catherine Dickens’s account of a great Victorian scandal.
Sweden Investigates Its Ambassador to China After Report of Secret Talks to Free Publisher
The daughter of Gui Minhai, a Swedish bookseller detained in China, said the ambassador arranged a meeting with men who first offered to help, then cajoled and pressured her.
George Orwell Gets an Apology for a Rejection Letter (but Not for His Marmalade Recipe)
A British cultural exchange body said it had been wrong to turn down the writer’s effort 73 years ago but stood by the criticism of his marmalade: “Bad recipe!”
Our Tokyo Bureau Chief on Where She Finds ‘Bolts of Insight’ (Hint: It’s Outside the Office)
The Reader Center talks to Motoko Rich about Japanese culture, her stress antidote and children’s novels.
Detainee Wrote a Book via WhatsApp. It Won a Top Literary Prize in Australia.
Behrouz Boochani, an asylum seeker, could not attend the event at which he was awarded $125,000 for his book on his experiences as a detainee.
Diana Athill Dies at 101; Wrote Cleareyed Memoirs of Love and Sex
The English author, whose critically lauded autobiographies chronicled her romantic and sexual liaisons, attained literary celebrity in her 90s.
The Hunt for the Nazi Loot Still Sitting on Library Shelves
The art stolen by the Nazis has gotten more attention, but millions of books were also looted from Jews, and others, and have yet to be returned.
Further reading: Do You Want to Read More About China?
Here are some suggestions from the Times Book Review archives to get you started.