I.J. Singer

Recently read I.J. Singer's The Brothers Ashkenazi. A family saga, of the Dostoyevsky/Tolstoy genre, albeit a rather easy read. Interesting to note that in literary circles I.J., the older brother who inspired the more famous I.B., is actually considered to have been the more gifted writer of the two. Apparently he managed to pull off what is considered to be a difficult feat-that of the long and intricate novel, where I.B., as critics will have it, fell short. I.B. is better noted for his novellas and short stories. At any rate while I.J.'s novel was an excellent read I must confess I still favor the younger brother. I've started reading The Nation online lately. I don't know if that's a capital offense. It certainly espouses political beliefs I find personally offensive for various reasons. However, it makes for very good, often entertaining reading. I think it is an altogether common phenomenon, and a sad one at that, that essays printed in liberal publications are generally more cleverly written and often more thoughtful and less predictable than the stuff being put out by moderate to right wing America. Which is why I am less and less inclined to read Commentary magazine, the journal that was perhaps most influential in shaping and informing my political opinions.