Herr Pollack is back. My services are no longer required.
Author / DrMabuse
How to Spice Up Your Relationship
All it takes is a broom.
Updike Wins PEN/Faulkner
The Hollywood Reporter (of all places) is reporting that John Updike has won the PEN/Faulkner.
[UPDATE: Here’s the Reuters article. Damn, I was rooting for ZZ. I dig the Rabbit Angstrom books, but does Updike need another award?]
Times X2
The Times chronicles the success story of Andrew Sean Greer, now covered in every newspaper from here to Madrid. Read Max Tivoli before you get sickened by the chronic coverage.
Beyond that, there’s stunning news of Anne Fadiman departing The American Scholar. Fadiman was reportedly asked to leave because of PBK’s perilous finances. Under Fadiman’s tenure, the Scholar was one of the foremost places to find nonfiction.
Dale Peck: PR Poster Boy?
Rake points to this press release for “Peck’s Last Negative Review Ever.” There’s a phone number there for some guy named Peter McFarlane, if anyone’s curious. McFarlane notes that he “scored” the Peck review. Well, certainly, if anyone wishes to compare acquiring an essay called “The Man Who Would Be Sven” to a midnight run for a dime bag, then the metaphor is apt. We here at Return of the Reluctant, however, prefer publicity in a more abrasive form:
