Hélène Bessette and the Novel as Arc Lamp

“Though a novel, the book can also be read as a cacophonous speech-collage-turned-philosophical-investigation of crime and punishment.”

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The Hydration-Break World Cup

“How much can fans conveniently forget in order to enjoy the games? The answer, evidently, is a lot.”

Jonathan Wilson·Jul 10, 2026

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César Aira’s Art of Not Editing

“A bird, for example, flew into Aira’s café while he was writing, and he worked it into the story.”

Jeff VanderMeer and Ann VanderMeer·Jul 9, 2026

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Literary Hub

Today is Tom Stoppard Day in the UK

Today in London a who’s who of the literary world will be observing what may be the inaugural memorial day for the late playwright Tom Stoppard. Celebrations center around the renaming of the Duke of York’s theatre in Stoppard’s honor

Brittany Allen·Jul 9, 2026

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The Tattoo Artist Inking Arabic Script on Skin

New York-based artist Noore Yazigi’s designs reference everything from the Quran to the poetry of the late Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer.

Randa Jumean·Jul 9, 2026

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Battle of the Aussie Snake Men: Charles Underwood vs. Joseph Shires

Then he rushed to the museum, found a scientific man—­ “Trot me out a deadly serpent, just the deadliest you can; I intend to let him bite me, all the risk I will endure, Just to prove the sterling value

Zach St. George·Jul 10, 2026

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Documenting Birthright Citizenship under Chinese Exclusion

Following the Wong Kim Ark decision in 1898, ethnic Chinese, other Asians, and almost all individuals born on U.S. soil secured the right to jus soli birthright citizenship. They could not, however, secure recognition of their citizenship without documentation, the key that linked birth to birthright. At a time when birth registration was not common, […] The post Documenting Birthright Citizenship under Chinese Exclusion appeared first on Public Books.

Morgan Barry·Jul 9, 2026