The Paris Review, Issue 229, Summer 2019

by Emily Nemens (Editor)

Frank Bidart on the Art of Poetry: "Why do something unless it corresponds to the shape and language of one's inner life?" Lewis Lapham on the Art of Editing: "What happens to journalism in the sixties is that it becomes increasingly about the journalist. The so-called New Journalism was strenuously self-glorifying."

Fiction by Jonathan Escoffery, Richard Ford, Kimberly King Parsons, Mary Terrier, and Laura van den Berg.

Poetry by Frank Bidart, Jorge Luis Borges, Cynthia Cruz, Cornelius Eady, Paul Guest, Daniel Halpern, Edward Hirsch, Ishion Hutchinson, Lawrence Joseph, Debora Lidov, Campbell McGrath, Eileen Myles, Vivek Narayanan, D. Nurkse, Rosanna Warren, Lauren K. Watel, and Matthew Zapruder

Nonfiction by Lydia Davis. A portfolio by Alan Fears. A document by James Agee.

Genres: Poetry, Short Stories, Fiction, Art

235 pages, Perfectbound

First published June 1, 2019

About the author

Emily Nemens’s debut novel, The Cactus League, was a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and named one of NPR’s and Lit Hub’s favorite books of 2020. Her stories have appeared in BOMB, The Gettysburg Review, n+1, and elsewhere; her illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and in collaboration with Harvey Pekar. Nemens spent over a decade editing literary quarterlies, including leading The Paris Review and serving as co-editor and prose editor of The Southern Review. She held the 2022–23 Picador Professorship (University of Leipzig) and teaches in the MFA program at Bennington College. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband and dog.

Reviews

[Kurishin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better issues in recent memory. The short stories are excellent and worthy of 5 stars. As usual, the poetry drags the overall down but is still better than the recent average.

[Kaiju Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good fiction, but the standout is Under the Ackee Tree by Jonathan Escoffery. Once you get into the dialect, this is an excellent and moving story.

Poetry was more mixed, but had some really great Poems by Edward Hirsch, D. Nurske, Paul Guest, and my favorite by Campbell McGrath: Santa Monica.

The Interviews and other non-fiction elements fell short. Just didn't connect with these this time.

Still, a good issue. I'm sad to learn Emily Nemens has moved on. I haven't dipped into the new editor yet.

[Liam Lalor · Rating 4 out of 5]

All stories good. The poems variegated. Horticultural, in a way. The essay was sensible and the interviews illuminating. James Agee is always a nice touch.

I subscribed to Lapham’s Quarterly. I learned about New Journalism. About Thomas Wolfe and Gay Tolese. I noted two or three writers whose books I will buy, one day read. This years summer issue has been influential if nothing else.

[Cheryl Crotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice nightstand book. Very diversified, with stories, poems etc. I always like to have two books available. One a larger main book and the second book with short stories, poems or information for those times when I only have a few minutes or I’m just to tired to get involved. The Paris Review fits the bill.

[Tilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably not the strongest collection, albeit The Paris Review sets a standard that makes even a ho-hum collection good. Perhaps it was a bit more poetry heavy than usual? The interview on editing with Lewis Lapham was actually surprisingly interesting and Kimberly King Parsons 'Foxes' was a particular highlight.

[Dieuwke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved “foxes”. So. Much.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I loved the fiction. And the short bit ‘Revising One Sentence’ by Lydia Davis. And vintage James Agee on New York City in the 1930s. Poetry fell short for me. But ah the short stories!