I would also add that substack, in ways oddly more than peak twitter, functions in the same way peak internet did for music. There is pitchfork aspect to the fiction community with substack. There is an intrinsic credentialism within substack for those who's opinions you trust, that allows recommendations and plaudits to be taken more seriously here. The best contemporary fiction I have read is not from bookstore recommendations but from substack recommendations such as this one. This also may be a metacritique of the politics of staff recommendations at bookstores, but that is a whole other argument.
Agree with other comments here that this piece was, oddly motivational! Also, Ross - to speak to the last paragraph, you're winning the currently battle with self.. Glass Century for sure one of the best things i've this year (I was the guy on Bluesky who let you know i'd 'saved' the book for when I was on a plane to NYC for max impact). Can't wait to see (read) whatever it is you decided to grace us with next. I go to NYC every August so please keep the tips (Sweetychat etc.) coming on where to find readings : )
I LOVE _The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P_ for all the reasons discussed here: "the pacing, the pitch, and attention to detail." It's a novel of manners in the tradition of Austen and Wharton applied to Williamsburg and Gowanas. So I'm thrilled to see this novel recognized here, and agree that it's "one of the great American novels of the 2010." BUT--is this judgment widely shared among other Gex X readers? My sense is that this book is far less well known than it should be. (Sidebar: Waldman's book is vastly superior to Gessen's own treatment of the same topic, _All the Sad Young Literary Men_)
This was oddly motivational.
I would also add that substack, in ways oddly more than peak twitter, functions in the same way peak internet did for music. There is pitchfork aspect to the fiction community with substack. There is an intrinsic credentialism within substack for those who's opinions you trust, that allows recommendations and plaudits to be taken more seriously here. The best contemporary fiction I have read is not from bookstore recommendations but from substack recommendations such as this one. This also may be a metacritique of the politics of staff recommendations at bookstores, but that is a whole other argument.
Ross Barkan with good description of what seems to be happening around Substack, why it seems important. A generous take.
Agree with other comments here that this piece was, oddly motivational! Also, Ross - to speak to the last paragraph, you're winning the currently battle with self.. Glass Century for sure one of the best things i've this year (I was the guy on Bluesky who let you know i'd 'saved' the book for when I was on a plane to NYC for max impact). Can't wait to see (read) whatever it is you decided to grace us with next. I go to NYC every August so please keep the tips (Sweetychat etc.) coming on where to find readings : )
I LOVE _The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P_ for all the reasons discussed here: "the pacing, the pitch, and attention to detail." It's a novel of manners in the tradition of Austen and Wharton applied to Williamsburg and Gowanas. So I'm thrilled to see this novel recognized here, and agree that it's "one of the great American novels of the 2010." BUT--is this judgment widely shared among other Gex X readers? My sense is that this book is far less well known than it should be. (Sidebar: Waldman's book is vastly superior to Gessen's own treatment of the same topic, _All the Sad Young Literary Men_)
Wait, Jason is Christian? lol
According to NYT
Death by Audio
Yup. I was there a few times