Election Year Challenges for Book Publishers
Election years present notable hurdles for book publishers. During this period, readers’ attention is heavily focused on the political landscape, making it difficult for new publications to garner attention. The weeks preceding the American electoral process are particularly challenging, as public interest is absorbed by the forthcoming elections, leaving little room for emerging books. Beyond the election, the ensuing months can pose even greater challenges for authors seeking recognition, as witnessed by those who published their works in November and December of 2016.
This fall, the literary scene showcases a courageously compelling collection of publications. While most do not directly address the current political climate, some works by authors such as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Richard Beck provide significant insights relevant to today’s issues. Their launch dates are astutely planned closer to Labor Day, strategically navigating the chaotic environs of Election Day.
Books Highlighted This Fall
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
In “Colored Television,” Senna explores the concept of identity politics as both an arena for exploration and conflict. The narrative unfolds in contemporary Los Angeles, centering around novelist Jane Gibson, who aspires to transition into screenwriting. Her journey introduces readers to the world of prestigious television, where the notion of “representation” is more buzzword than genuine endeavor. This theme is masterfully dissected in Stephen Kearse’s review.
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Rachel Kushner’s novel centers on “Sadie Smith,” a freelance spy situated in southern France. The tale offers a meticulous examination of gender roles, revealing how Smith’s role is often downplayed due to perceptions of youth and femininity. Successfully infiltrating an eco-conscious group, she leverages her underestimated position for strategic advantage. Readers embark on a deep dive into discussions spanning activism, rebellion, and the human condition. The journey evokes classics from Graham Greene and John le Carré, probing not just occurrences but the adept navigation through ideological landscapes.
Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life by Richard Beck
Beck’s work provides a riveting historical analysis of the period post-9/11, delving into its lasting influence on the present. The notion of “impunity culture,” as coined by Beck, reflects on a governmental inclination to evade accountability. Ed Burmila’s review highlights the irrational decisions made during the Iraq invasion, underscoring the sobering reality of the costs involved. The analysis extends to contemporary security compromises for the mere illusion of increased safety, a legacy continuing to shape today’s societal landscape.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
“Intermezzo,” Sally Rooney’s fourth novel, is a narrative that delves into themes of mortality, enduring illness, and societal inequalities. However, it is romance that serves as the primary disruptor. The protagonist, Margaret, a divorced 36-year-old, experiences a life-altering attraction to Ivan, a young man she accompanies to a chess event. Meanwhile, Ivan’s brother, Peter, grapples with irreplaceable past relationships. Rooney’s narrative explores the liberation experienced when individuals reject prescribed expectations.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “The Message” is a compelling anthology intertwining memoir and writing guide. Coates articulates on nationalism, repression, and societal identity, drawing from personal travels to Dakar, Columbia, and Palestine. His reflections reveal the power of narratives against a backdrop of historical contention: slavery, censorship, and apartheid. Targeting emerging writers, Coates emphasizes writing’s societal impact, advocating for storytelling that embraces the overarching mission of emancipation.
Diverse Narratives in Literature
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst
Brexit casts its shadow early in Hollinghurst’s prominently anticipated novel, mapping Dave Win’s life journey until today. Win, a descendant of a Burmese immigrant unknown to him, wins a scholarship to an esteemed English school during the 1960s. The narrative traces his evolution in avant-garde theater. Walters, the Brexit Minister’s father, serves as a pivotal yet distanced figure in Win’s life, evoking fleeting reminiscences, depicted through Hollinghurst’s exceptional grasp of emotional subtleties.
The Hidden Globe: How Wealth Hacks the World by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian
Abrahamian’s “The Hidden Globe” investigates the clandestine world of offshore finance, unveiling how elite wealth manipulates global systems. Centered on Geneva, she illustrates the city’s role as an entry to the broader “mercenary world,” where wealth navigates through unorthodox territories. From Caribbean havens to Arctic satellites, Abrahamian examines how these “liminal spaces” perpetuate global disparities, uncovering how elites exploit legal loopholes to subvert the global economy at the expense of the marginalized.
The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America by Aaron Robertson
“The Black Utopians” by Robertson is a riveting narration of African American movements aimed at creating isolated communities free from systemic injustice. Robertson melds personal narrative, historical context, and societal critique, illustrating efforts like Detroit’s Shrine of the Black Madonna and its pioneering leader, Albert Cleage Jr. The work highlights this vibrant nucleus of utopian aspirations, offering readers a profound glimpse into these historical quests for self-sufficiency and equality.
The Icon and the Idealist: Margaret Sanger, Mary Ware Dennett, and the Rivalry That Brought Birth Control to America by Stephanie Gorton
Stephanie Gorton’s tome dissects the influential rivalry between two pioneering figures in reproductive rights: Margaret Sanger and Mary Dennett. Documenting their differing strategies, Gorton presents a poignant exploration on the perennial campaign for contraceptive accessibility. While the narrative reflects present decisiveness concerning bodily autonomy, it also grapples with activism’s inherent contradictions, though unwavering idealism endures despite political shortcomings.
Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age by James Chappel
Chappel’s “Golden Years” delivers an analytical retrospective on the origins and evolution of old age in American society. Tracing back to the 1935 Social Security Act, Chappel articulates its establishment as a social support framework while unveiling the disparities it perpetuated, excluding minorities and impoverished citizens. The narrative underscores both the legislative resilience and the transformative perception of aging through assertive political movements. Also emphasized is the ongoing necessity for reform to ensure inclusive financial and caregiving security for the elderly in anticipation of the socio-economic shifts of the impending “gray century.”