Literarypalate
Recent Highlights
All Stories for Literarypalate
Why Edward Said and his writing matter
Nandini •Edward Said was a prolific writer. The key to reading him is following in his footsteps: construct a chronology, track trajectories of thought, torment yourself with text until you locate context.
Happy 82, Ursula Le Guin
Nandini •Ursula Le Guin — celebrates her 82nd birthday today — has always been a writer of sweeping vision, and her books bring together tropes from science fiction and fantasy alike.
The iconic food writing of MKF Fisher
Nandini •Ms Fisher's writing highlights the enjoyment and the experience of food, rather than the making of it. Her recipes, as a result, are quick, quiet affairs: a short list of ingredients and an illustrative description of how they are to be combined.
The transformative and surrealistic works of Tomas Tranströmer
Nandini •This year's Nobel Prize winning poet, Tomas Tranströmer won't write about things you'd like to hear. The surrealism in his poetry is a treat to discover.
Camus, Pamuk, Marquez: Why you must read these Nobel winners
Dhapola •A list of Nobel Prize winning authors and some of their most significant works that you must read.
Squonks and other fascinating imaginary beings
Nandini •Of the all imaginary creatures that Jean Louis Bourges wrote about in The Book of Imaginary beings, the squonk is perhaps the most fascinating of them all.
Tagore's vision of Independent India, spiritual not political
Nandini •Who can deny that unbridled nationalism has been at the root of much of the destruction of the last century? As we celebrate our tryst with destiny, let's listen to Rabindranath Tagore, Independent India’s earliest cultural ambassador.
Midnight's Twins: Faiz's poignant verses on love and war
Nandini •On Pakistan's independence day we bring you, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Pakistan's national poet, heir to Ghalib and his poems of love and war.
Happy Birthday, Mervyn Peake
Nandini •Author, poet, and artist, Peake was a bona fide literary god worshipped by fantasy-fic fans around the world.
Fourth of July blues
Nandini •American politics is just a bit duller without the biting wit of Michael Kelley. Here is a sampling of his most acerbic and hilarious takes on Democrats.