Alberto Mielgo’s creature in the sci-fi short Jibaro represents treasure, not nature, and this aligns her perfectly with tales of chivalric literature – as does her predatory behavior.
Shane Weller’s The Idea of Europe, hampered by an unconscious form of Euroscepticism, suggests that British critics are still not ready to listen to their neighbors.
Diana Darke’s stumbling cultural critique of Islamic architecture, Stealing from the Saracens, shows how desperately Europe needs its own anti-racist language.
With Girls Against God, avant-garde musician Jenny Hval gives us a semi-autobiographical text that, like the metalhead teen she describes, won't abide by any rules.
Marie-Janine Calic's history of Southeastern Europe is undeniably well-researched, but it's also a cumbersome reading experience for anyone but the specialist.
Yannick Haenel's Hold Fast Your Crown is shocking, frustrating, elating, and among the best books published in France for decades.
There is a lot of enjoyable sleight of hand in de Kerangal's The Cook, but ultimately the author fails to engage with the questions it raises.
We look at Disney songs through the lens of hardcore hermeneutics. Be warned, you may never be able to hear these songs the way you did before!
C.D. Rose's novel is as striking for its achievements as it is for its failures, but ultimately the whole exercise feels rather inessential.
Antoine Laurain's Smoking Kills is provocative and funny, but its meditations remain consistently mature.
Fine's debut novel is occasionally impressive, but too often it strives for unnecessary complexity.
Troy: Fall of a City tries to attack our racial prejudice but reveals more about our Classical ignorance.
