September 19, 2012 Bulletin Object Lesson: Kings By The Paris Review The story so far: in Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story, we asked twenty contemporary writers to choose their favorite short stories from our fiction archive, and write an introduction. The result is a crash course in the short story, an introduction to some new authors and a reintroduction to others, and a terrific anthology. Today’s quiz: Can you guess who wrote the following selection? Today I have learned a great lesson; our cook was my teacher. She is twenty-five years old and she’s French. I discovered that she does not know that Louis-Philippe is no longer king of France and we now have a republic. And yet it has been five years since he left the throne. She said the fact that he is no longer king simply does not interest her in the least—those were her words. And I think of myself as an intelligent man! But compared to her I’m an imbecile. Find out! And pre-order a copy today!
September 18, 2012 Bulletin An Object Lesson: Beware of Getting Out of Touch By The Paris Review Publisher’s Weekly called it “a kind of mini-M.F.A.” In Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story, we asked twenty masters of the medium to choose their favorite short stories from our sixty-year archive, and write an introduction. The result is a series of “object lessons” in the art of short fiction, a look back at our incredible history, and, not incidentally, a terrific read. Can you guess who wrote the following selection? “Beware of getting out of touch,” his therapist had warned. “It happens gradually. It creeps over you by degrees. When you’re not interacting with people, you start losing the beat. Then blammo. Suddenly, you’re that guy in the yard.” “I’m who?” asked Buddy. “The guy with the too-short pants,” said the therapist. Find out! And show your commitment to keeping the short story alive by purchasing a copy today!
September 13, 2012 Bulletin Announcing Our New Mug! By The Paris Review A year after our café au lait cup sold out, we’re pleased to announce the arrival of its sturdy American cousin, the diner mug—perfect for keeping your coffee or tea warm while you read Ottessa Moshfegh’s tale of doomed love in a Chinese boomtown or Roberto Calasso on possession, sacrifice, and his resemblance to Groucho Marx. One side displays our classic logo. The other side (not pictured here) gives a fair and up-to-the-minute assessment of the magazine you love: “The first really promising development in youthful, advance guard, or experimental writing in a long time. —Newsweek, 1953 ” This straight-talking mug is yours with a one-year subscription or renewal. Order now! Offer good for U.S. addresses only. [tweetbutton] [facebook_ilike]
September 11, 2012 Bulletin The “American Idol of Microfiction” Gets a New First Prize By The Paris Review How fast can you tell a good story? Three times a year, NPR’s “Three-Minute Fiction” challenges listeners to send in the best stories they can write—and read out loud in less than three minutes. So far, more than 45,000 contestants have taken the challenge. It is, in the words of host Guy Raz, the “American Idol of microfiction.” This Saturday kicks off a new round of “Three-Minute Fiction” with guest judge Brad Meltzer. And with a new first prize—publication in The Paris Review. That’s right: the winner will appear in our Winter issue. So sharpen your pencils, eliminate your unnecessary words, and get ready to write. Click here for details—then tune in to All Things Considered this Saturday (5 P.M. EST) to hear the rules for the latest round. [tweetbutton] [facebook_ilike]
September 7, 2012 Bulletin Introducing Our Fall Issue! By The Paris Review We all hate to see summer end, but don’t despair: we bring you our Fall issue by way of consolation! And there’s so much to love. James Fenton on journalism, shrimp farming, interior decoration, gardening, poetry, opera, and more: What I had got from my teaching experience in the Midwest was a feeling for the enormous pressure on people in the poetry world to conform to an entirely negatively defined notion of poetry. It doesn’t rhyme, it doesn’t have any rhythm one might detect, and it isn’t written for the ear but rather the page. It seemed de-natured. These poets had forgotten the lips and the limbs, the dance, the whole bodily element—that had been banished. The manifesto was a piece of devil-may-care. It was actually anti-Iowa rather than anti-American. Roberto Calasso on life, film, and publishing—Italian-style: The publisher after all is considered, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries, a rather eccentric entrepreneur or impresario—a businessman in a very improbable field. But, if he is successful, then he is a good businessman. The author is the successor of the saint, everyone respects the author. So to put the two elements together is highly suspicious in a way, especially in the rather moralistic Protestant countries. In the Latin countries, less so. Plus! Fiction by Jim Gavin, David Gordon, Ottessa Moshfegh, Peter Orner, and Sam Savage. Poetry by August Kleinzahler, George Seferis, Bernadette Mayer, Jason Zuzga, and Guillaume Apollinaire. A portfolio by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman, and collages by Jess. Subscribe now! [tweetbutton] [facebook_ilike]
July 31, 2012 Bulletin Paris Review Moleskines: Now in Stock By The Paris Review We love these limited-edition Paris Review Moleskines. It’s the iconic notebook we all know and love, stamped with our original logo and featuring a quote on the frontispiece from Dorothy Parker’s 1956 interview. Smart, indeed: get yours today! [tweetbutton] [facebook_ilike]