The Thread

The Thread from MPR News

A new twist on book talk

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Latinx critics speak out against 'American Dirt;' Jeanine Cummins responds
Latinx writers and critics are speaking out against Jeanine Cummins' new book “American Dirt,” calling its depiction of the migrant experience inauthentic and harmful. We asked Cummins to respond.
In 'Sexual Citizens,' students open up about sex, power and assault on campus
Profs. Jennifer Hirsch and Shamus Khan asked more than 150 undergrads about their sex lives — what they wanted out of sex, how troubling encounters unfolded, and how misunderstandings led to assault.
Anyone will be allowed to publish the book, adapt it to a movie, make it into an opera or stage a Broadway musical. No longer will you need to get permission to write a sequel, a prequel, a Jay Gatsby detective novel or a Gatsby narrative populated with zombies.
'Cleanness' revisits familiar ground, beautifully
Garth Greenwell's new story collection — like his previous novel — follows young, gay American men teaching English in Bulgaria. It's part heartbreaking, part forward-looking, and all beautiful.
In 'Agency,' William Gibson builds a bomb that doesn't boom (and that's OK)
Gibson's new novel is a sequel to 2014's “The Peripheral,” jumping back and forth in time as investigators, military contractors and killers chase down a rogue AI, and tensions flare in the Middle East.
'The Majesties' is disturbing, yet shockingly enjoyable
Tiffany Tsao's novel explores the dark secrets of the wealthy Chinese-Indonesian Sulinado family, who fall victim to one of their own when daughter Estella poisons the entire clan at a family dinner.
'Little Gods' reminds us some questions are better left unasked
Meng Jin's new novel shows us a complex woman through the eyes of her husband, her daughter, and her daughter's nanny — all of whom see different, sometimes contradictory facets of her character.
Talking Volumes with poet Tracy K. Smith
Smith was the final speaker of the 20th season of Talking Volumes. The 2017 U.S. poet laureate talked about her experience sharing poetry with communities across the nation.
J.R.R. Tolkien's son was instrumental in cultivating his father's legacy, shepherding unpublished works to readers and helping extend the world of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.”