Iranian novelist Yaghoub Yadali responds to Philip Roth’s recent announcement of his retirement with a deeply honest letter addressed to the celebrated author. While Yadali understands Roth’s reasons for calling it quits, he explains why “for an Iranian writer, retirement is meaningless.”
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We look back at the most-read columns of 2013, featuring contributions from Tarik Günersel (Turkey), Bina Shah (Pakistan), Khet Mar (Burma), Israel Centeno (Venezuela), Hamdy el-Gazzar (Egypt), Tienchi Martin-Liao (China), Horacio Castellanos Moya (El Salvador), and Yaghoub Yadali (Iran).
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In this segment of The Writer’s Block, French author Laurent Binet discusses his relationship with his editors, the risks of mixing history and fiction, and why he doesn’t make a distinction between author and narrator.
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In anticipation of the coming new year, Sampsonia Way looks back at the most-watched Writer’s Block video interviews of 2013. The Writer’s Block is an ongoing video series of interviews with visiting writers at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh.
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Sampsonia Way presents the ultimate book list based on the 19 Salon Readings that City of Asylum/Pittsburgh held during 2013. Each of the books on the list was written, edited, or translated by the stellar lineup of invited writers, journalists, and translators. Enjoy!
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Watch a short film on the acclaimed “people’s poet,” Ahmed Fouad Negm, recipient of the 2013 Prince Claus Award. A master poet, fearless social and political critic, Negm died on December 3, a few days before the award ceremony.
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“Expatriation—waking up one morning startled by agoraphobia, sentenced and expelled with no possibility of return—has another name and, why not, another destination: Saskatchewan.” Israel Centeno on Richard Ford’s novel, Canada.
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