Books
10 Fictional Characters That Are Definitely Having a Worse Day Than You
By Keith Rice 7 min read
Even your very worst day is unlikely to be as bad as these characters'. These ten books will have you counting your blessings, even in dark times.
Illustrations
The Archetypal Cormac McCarthy Character (In One Paragraph)
By Nathan Gelgud 2 min read
Scouring Cormac McCarthy's works, we found an opening paragraph in Blood Meridian about "the kid," who's possibly the most archetypal McCarthy character.
Culture
Wild Times: The Rise of the Apocalyptic Western
By Clifford Jackman 5 min read
What is an apocalyptic Western? And why is it suddenly so prevalent in the entertainment world? Read on to find out more.
Culture
Todd Field Lays Claim to Jess Walter's Beautiful Ruins
By Christine Spines 3 min read
Beautiful Ruins has the potential to be a beautiful film, unless someone ruins it – a fate not likely to befall it if Todd Field sees it through.
Culture
The Best Marriage Plot Ever Written? Jeffrey Eugenides Makes a Case for 'The Portrait of a Lady'
By Tom Blunt 2 min read
Also in the world of lit and film today: John Cusack's shout-out to his 'In Your Eyes' beginnings, first drafts of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, and wringing memories out of Hollywood veterans.
Culture
Casting the Uncastable Adaptation: Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian
By Dan Ozzi 4 min read
Some have called McCarthy's Blood Meridian unfilmable -- but when has that ever stopped Hollywood? If they're going to do it, though, we have a few suggestions for how to do it well.