Latest news with #AmericanLiterature
Irish Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Among Friends by Hal Ebbott: echoes of the dead giants of American literature
Among Friends Author : Hal Ebbott ISBN-13 : 9781035055432 Publisher : Picador Guideline Price : £16.99 Towards the end of the 20th century, American literature was dominated by straight white men who published Important Books. The holy trinity of Updike , Roth and Mailer wrote about masculinity as an ideal, and while the work will endure, their era is decidedly over. So it was something of a surprise to read Hal Ebbott's debut, which feels heavily influenced by the ghosts of writers past. Amos and Emerson – even their names are weighted in white privilege and old money – have been best buds since college, not least because the latter introduced his childhood friend Claire to the former, and they married. Along with Emerson's wife Retsy, the two couples have been close for decades, bringing up their daughters, Sophie and Anna, almost as sisters. Therefore, it's devastating for all when a weekend at Emerson's home leads to an allegation that he sexually assaulted Amos's daughter, the knots of friendship immediately shattering. What follows is a study of male friendship but also of the responsibilities we hold towards our children. When Anna tells her parents what took place, they're horrified but, curiously, it's Amos who believes her while Claire thinks she's making it up in a teenage bid for attention. READ MORE Ebbott digs deep into the psyches of both men but a strong premise suffers from the novel's lack of narrative development. It might be deliberate, but both couples are so alike that it becomes difficult to tell them apart. In fact, I had to make a note of who was who, and who was the offspring of whom, which is odd considering there's only six characters involved, and I found myself referring to this reminder repeatedly. Is this because Ebbott is implying that all men are potential predators and that what Emerson did to Anna, Amos could have done to Sophie? If that's the idea, it's not sufficiently explored, and if it's not, then greater distinctions between the four might have been drawn. Ebbott can certainly write – there's a depth to his paragraphs that demands the reader's careful attention – but it all feels a little old-fashioned, recalling those dead giants while giving a sense that Among Friends would have been a footnote in their bibliographies.
New York Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
How Do You Adapt James Baldwin? Very Carefully.
Few writers turn out their career-defining work on the first try. But that was James Baldwin with his 1953 debut novel, 'Go Tell It on the Mountain.' The semi-autobiographical book, about a day in the life of a Black teen whose stepfather is a minister of a Harlem Pentecostal church, was received by critics with glowing praise. Today it remains lauded as one of the great novels of modern American literature. Baldwin's second novel, 'Giovanni's Room,' was quite a different story — literally and figuratively. A thematic departure from its predecessor, the novel was about two gay white men: David, a closeted American man, who falls in love with Giovanni, an Italian bartender, in Paris. In the book Baldwin unpacks motifs related to masculinity and queerness, classism and American exceptionalism all through sparkling dialogue and robust, deeply ruminative prose. Though now considered a significant work of the 20th-century queer literary canon, 'Giovanni's Room' didn't share the immediate adoration and popularity of its predecessor. In fact, it was rejected by his publisher, Knopf, when first submitted. 'We think that publishing this book, not because of its subject but because of its failure, will set the wrong kind of cachet on your writing and estrange many of your readers,' the editor Henry Carlisle wrote in a letter to Baldwin in 1955. But Dial Press published the book in 1958, and almost immediately Baldwin had further plans for it. First there was the stage. In 1958 he produced a dramatization of 'Giovanni's Room' for the Actors Studio starring the Turkish actor Engin Cezzar as Giovanni. The play didn't make it to Broadway, but Baldwin intended to return 'Giovanni's Room' to the stage, or even adapt it to film. He insisted on creative control, which hindered some potential efforts from other artists. In the late '70s he collaborated with the South African filmmaker Michael Raeburn on a screenplay, with hopes of big names like Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando taking part. The project never got off the ground, though; Baldwin's literary agent requested $100,000 for the book option, which the writer couldn't afford. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Fox News
18-06-2025
- Fox News
SEAN DUFFY: Take a Great American Road Trip and rediscover our amazing country
"[W]e do not take a trip; a trip takes us." - Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck In 1960, American novelist John Steinbeck set out with his dog Charley in a camper on a journey to rediscover the heart of the nation. Though he had spent his career writing about our country, he understood that to truly know and love America, he needed to see America. "I had not heard the speech of America, smelled the grass and trees…seen its hills and water, its color and quality of light," he wrote at the time. Steinbeck and Charley traveled 10,000 miles across the United States, encountering farmers, drifters, Southern segregationists, and Northern suburbanites. He documented what he learned and saw in the famous book "Travels with Charley: In Search of America." His reflections — full of awe, sorrow, and empathy — become a portrait of our country and a call to see it firsthand. You'll never know America by listening to the nightly news or scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. Like Steinbeck before his journey, few of us have traced the spine of Route 66, watched the sun set behind the majestic Grand Canyon (one of the seven natural wonders of the world), stood beneath a 2,000-year-old, 300-foot-tall California redwood, or hiked the Smoky Mountains at dawn. As your secretary of transportation, I'm inviting you to rediscover America—not through a screen or a headline, but mile by mile, window down, heart open. In celebration of our nation's 250th anniversary, I am launching The Great American Road Trip—a yearlong invitation to travel, reflect, and reconnect with the people and places that define us. Transportation should be a pathway to opportunity, and road trips have always offered just that: freedom, flexibility, and a front-row seat to the American story. At the Department of Transportation, we're working to ensure that every American—no matter where they live or what they earn—can afford to get behind the wheel and explore this country on their own terms. Families are now better equipped to hit the road, thanks to lower gas prices, reduced inflation, and a renewed sense of American optimism under President Donald Trump's leadership. At the Department of Transportation, we're also eliminating burdensome regulations, such as Biden-era mileage standards, to make car ownership more affordable. No family should be priced out of owning a vehicle or exploring our beautiful country. I've taken road trips with my own family— cooler packed with snacks, long playlists, windows streaked with bug splatter, kids pointing out shapes in the clouds. Away from our routines, we reconnected and bonded—to each other, to the places we passed, and to the people we met. We learned things we hadn't expected, not just about the country, but about ourselves. Together with America250 and Brand USA, we've curated 250 destinations—some iconic, others unknown to most. We hope you'll stand in the dazzling lights of Times Square, but also take the turn that leads you to The Troll Hole Museum in Ohio, a crab meat and lobster stop in Maine, a castle hidden in the Michigan woods, and a lighthouse on a rocky New England coastline. We hope you'll visit Hemingway's home in Key West and find yourself deep inside Kentucky's Mammoth Cave. America's story lives in landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, South Dakota's Mount Rushmore and the Spanish missions of California, yes—but it also thrives in the family-owned roadside diners, the bait shop in northern Wisconsin, and the giant Paul Bunyan statue in Minnesota (a conversation starter with the kids about the tough lumberjacks who built America). We also celebrate the American-made vehicles that carry us—not just machines, but symbols of movement, freedom, and grit. President Trump's commitment to fair trade is revitalizing our auto industry, keeping factories open and producing bigger, better cars by hands that know the value of hard work and craftsmanship. In the years ahead, the world will turn its eyes to America, as we host the World Cup and the Olympics. As the spotlight turns to us, let's use this year leading up to our 250th anniversary as a nation to explore our homeland—to travel not as tourists, but as citizens eager to understand, to celebrate our freedom, and to rediscover this place we call home. As the song says, "from the mountains to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam." This year, hit the road. Go far, go near, go somewhere you've never thought to go. And like Steinbeck, let the journey take you.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Wyoming ranch where acclaimed writer penned the great American novel goes for sale at $29 million
Set against the stunning backdrop of Wyoming 's Bighorn Mountains, a storied ranch where Ernest Hemingway penned one of the cornerstones of American literature has been listed for $29 million. The historic Spear Ranch, which dates back to the 1800s, is celebrated for its tranquil seclusion, breathtaking vistas and deep ties to both literary and Western heritage. 'The Spear Ranch isn't just land; it's a direct link to the titans of the West, from the pioneering Spear family to literary giants like Hemingway,' Peter Widener, a partner at Hall and Hall, the firm behind the multimillion-dollar listing, told Mansion Global. 'It's where history was made and where new legacies will be forged. To find a property with this level of historical significance, combined with such impeccable modern amenities and natural beauty, is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.' Spanning over 300 acres of pristine landscape, the estate includes a 7,500-square-foot New England–style main residence, multiple guest cabins and a collection of rustic outbuildings. The architecture blends classic Western charm with modern luxury, showcasing the ranch's illustrious past. Just a short distance away lies the Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch, a well-known guest retreat where Hemingway sought solitude to complete his work. In the summer of 1928, he escaped the distractions of city life and settled into a modest log cabin beside a rushing stream to focus on his writing. 'He went there for the Western experience - to write in peace and quiet,' Widener said. It was in that peaceful setting that Hemingway completed the first draft of A Farewell to Arms, his semi-autobiographical novel set during World War I. Serialized in Scribner's the following year, the book brought Hemingway international acclaim and helped solidify his legacy in American literary history. Today, the Spear Ranch reflects its rich history while offering a luxurious lifestyle. The centerpiece of the property is the eight-bedroom main residence, outfitted with natural oak flooring. A formal dining room with a gas fireplace sits just off the kitchen, which features granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances, according to the listing. Many of the bedrooms include their own fireplaces, private baths, and spacious closets. A screened gazebo overlooks Little Goose Creek, an outstanding trout fishery which meanders through the property. 'That pond was the Spear family's swimming pool,' Widener noted. 'The current owners spent three or four years restoring the cabin. You don't sleep there - it's just an open room with a big deck over the water.' Next to the main house is a two-bedroom caretaker's residence, while two additional guest homes sit farther out. Each guest house features at least two bedrooms and includes a four-car garage. Other highlights include an equestrian barn, a large event barn and a 3,200-square-foot shop with a bathroom for storing ranch equipment. Beyond its Hemingway connection, the ranch offers a lifestyle steeped in natural beauty and tradition. Miles of trails throughout the ranch have been covered in wood chips and a small gauge target range provides a unique recreational amenity, according to Cowboy State Daily. Located just 1.5 miles from the town of Big Horn and 15 miles from the larger city of Sheridan, the ranch is close to other luxury properties and cultural landmarks like the Brinton Museum, known for its impressive Native American art collection. According to Widener, the property had previously been split into parcels and sold separately over the years, but the current owners made it their mission to reunite the original ranch. They began by acquiring the historic main house, which came with 56 acres, and gradually purchased adjacent parcels until they restored the full 300-acre estate - plus an additional 70-acre field. 'It's so rare. In our business, we love working with buyers who are putting ranches back together,' Widener said. 'It's really fun to be a part of making history come back to life, as opposed to splitting ranches up, which we try not to partake in.' For those seeking to own a truly one-of-a-kind piece of American literary and Western history, the Spear Ranch offers a rare blend of natural splendor, historical importance and country living. As the listing notes, it's 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of literary and Western heritage.'
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The Beatles and their disruptive trip to India: The ‘Transcendental Meditation' that changed the Abbey Road musicians forever
By any standard, The Beatles will remain one of the biggest, most prolific, controversial, and iconic bands of all time. Remember the pretentious guy from 10th grade who always carried around a small leather diary with him, the old widower uncle on your block growing up, or the inspiring English professor from your American Literature class in college who made you feel like opening up a dead poet's society of your own. They all listened to the Beatles because the band, like a few other phenomena in the world, wasn't just famous or sought after because of their product; it was because of what they represented and how they made you feel when you associated with their identity, for better or for worse. For example, the Cali Cartel exported and controlled just as much cocaine in their heyday, if not more, as the Medellin Cartel did. But you ask a layman who Rodriguez Orejuela was. It's likely they won't be able to give you the right answer. But ask them about Pablo Escobar, and they will recite for you their favourite dialogues from the Narcos series on Netflix (by the way, they made a season about the Cali guys too; no one cared). Yes, a drug lord who killed thousands of people during his reign is somewhat of an unsuitable person to be compared with the Abbey Road quartet, but Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, together, had a drug-like hold on their listeners. A drug that would make them keep coming back, a drug that made you cool just by association, and let's be honest, The Beatles weren't pumping out album after album, surviving on Earl Grey tea and English muffins. The boys got together in 1962, after the trio of McCartney, Harrison and Lennon finally found the right drummer in Starr. Soon after their first hit, 'Love Me Do', manager Brian Epstein played all the right moves, and through his grooming and moulding process, out came the biggest rock group in the world. They would go on to make 12 studio albums in the short span of 8 years, due to the power of Earl Grey tea and Scouse, of course. ALSO READ: 'P Diddy would rather die than let go of rights to Biggie Smalls' music': How Diddy was at the epicentre of both Tupac and Biggie's death The amount of music they were putting out was almost too much, and say what you will, the guys knew their stuff. Apart from being amazing musicians, Lennon and McCartney were incredible writers, artists who were more susceptible to inspiration and ideas for a bridge than Joseph B. Strauss (he wasn't a musician, just the guy who built the Golden Gate Bridge). Harrison and Starr were expert executioners of their writers' vision, and together they worked hard day and night to earn their place in the Mount Rushmore of music, if not at the peak of Everest. But that kind of schedule, along with the 'calm and sober' lifestyle of a rock star, can be taxing on the body, and soon the street outside Abbey Road Studios became too long a course to chart, and they were exhausted. It was getting difficult keeping up appearances while trying to manage your career, wives, extramarital affairs and dentists serving you coffee laced with LSD, which, considering the 60s, was probably part of the dental plan for musicians. The Beatles needed a break, and Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, the woman who was described as the modern-day Helen of Troy by LA magazine, suggested 'Transcendental Meditation' to the group. This was a revelation, and without any delay, the Beatles travelled to Rishikesh to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Liverpool to Rishikesh The Beatles had previously met the Maharishi during a lecture in London and a 10-day workshop in Wales (with Mick Jagger by the way), a trip they had to cut short because Epstein suddenly passed away. They were then invited to join him at his main ashram, where the Beatles would end up writing close to 50 songs, with many of them ending up on their next project, 'The White Album'. Even though the Beatles had sold millions of records all over the world and had probably witnessed every comfort known to man, they were taken aback when they reached the Ashram. 14 acres of land consisting of six long bungalows, each containing five or six double rooms, and the rooms were equipped with four-poster beds and an electric fire system. Along with all that, there was a post office, a lecture theatre and a swimming pool. All four of them were now determined to make the most of this trip, and Harrison and Lennon were the most affected by the teachings. After the band met the Maharishi in Wales, they had decided to give up drugs, just like Jimi Hendrix switched to the tambourine after playing the 'Star-Spangled Banner'. Even after this supposed break from drugs, Lennon admitted that he was hallucinating during his time at the Ashram, and his claims were backed by his wife, Cynthia Lennon, who said in Bob Spitz's book The Beatles that Harrison and Lennon had completely accepted the teachings of the Maharishi. However, Starr and McCartney weren't having that much of a jolly time and left soon after a couple of weeks. The band tripped for days, just on meditation apparently, and wrote an entire album while denying a Lord of The Rings movie (story for another time). But as half of the group departed, the other two maybe went too deep. ALSO READ: Frank Sinatra 'facilitated' John F Kennedy's other life, but couldn't outrun his mafia connections: The rise and ruin of their unlikely friendship Boyd, who introduced Harrison to the entire scheme, admitted later on that the teachings had gotten a hold of him, and so had alcohol and drugs. Lennon who was apparently already thinking about bringing his then muse Yoko Ono on the trip along with his wife, asked for separate rooms for him and his wife after just a few days in Rishikesh. Their relationship would never get back to normal, ultimately leading to a divorce. Through the Ashram and his muse, Lennon had shed the skin of the young and innocent Scouser, and the man that emerged wanted to change the world, and his own life with it. He had already been drifting towards politics and activism before Rishikesh, many fans and members of the band accused his relationship with Ono to be one of the reason, they broke up. Lennon admitted later on that the moment he saw Ono was the moment he knew his days with the old gang were over. Soon Lennon and Harrison also left upon discovering the Maharishi's involvement in sexual assault cases, even though it was never proved. But even though the boys were all back in good old England, the distance had already been created. During this very week in 1968, the Beatles started recording 'The White Album' at the Abbey Road Studios, and to the average Joe, it was just another great project. Songs filled to the brim with mystique of the East, songs that brought out a different side of the Beatles, a broken side of the Beatles. The strum of the guitar still blended perfectly with the thrum of the drums, the tempo still intact, and the different voices and harmonies still so seamlessly brought together that they sounded one. But the trip, like perceived by many, wasn't a breather; it was a moment of realisation for all four men that they didn't need to be the greatest band in the world anymore. It was enough, all that they had done, and if the sun had set on the Beatles on the day they released the White Album, it would be alright. They did end up working on another album, but personal turmoils, failing relationships and four broken minds were enough to stop this madness. Seeds of discontent had been sown long before the trip and maybe whatever they experienced in India, just exacerbated the whole situation. All four of the Beatles left their wives following that trip, with McCartney's marriage lasting the longest. The group went their separate ways, and the band was legally disbanded in 1974. Even though they were gone in such a short time, everyone listened to the Beatles. They were probably the first band to be famous enough to be recognised by all, even if many never listened to a single thing they put out. It wasn't about what they sang; it was always about who they were and what they represented, and maybe the pretentious guy from your school whom we talked about earlier isn't all too bad, because no matter who they were and what they did, the Beatles were cool; it's that simple.
