Book Reviews

Leah Hayes' new graphic novel presents, in simple terms and unassuming pinkish illustrations, the story of two women who decide to get abortions, the choices they make and the steps they go through.

The heroine of Jonathan Evison's new novel is 78 years old, chronically drunk and talks to the ghost of her dead husband. Critic Jason Sheehan says the book portrays "darkness with a forced smile."

Joseph Roth was an Austrian reporter whose writing provided a vivid portrait of pre-WWII Europe. Critic Juan Vidal says this newly translated collection of his work shows his intelligence and humor.

In Fran Wilde's world life happens above the clouds, towers are built from song and humans fly. Critic Amal El-Mohtar says Wilde's new novel is a powerfully innovative work of fantasy.

Young Liliane reads Bonjour Tristesse with her father in Italy, Peyton Place with her mother in Maine — and author Lily Tuck builds the disparate pieces of her life into a compelling portrait.

No one escapes unscathed in Joy Williams' brilliant, brutal new story collection. Critic Michael Schaub calls Williams our poet laureate of loss, whose work is full of hope and perverse joy.

Jesse Eisenberg specializes in playing (and writing about) jittery, antisocial nerds. Critic Heller McAlpin says the wonder is the empathy he brings to the sad sacks in his new story collection.

Tight-laced Gloria Harkness says she's no Miss Marple, but she can't help picking at the threads of a murder mystery. Especially when it involves the care at the home where her disabled son lives.

Paul Kingsnorth invented a whole new language for his novel about the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Critic Jason Sheehan says that hard work paid off.