Forty years after his time with the U.S. Forest Service, a writer reflects on his years fighting fires out West, especially how fire shapes both forests and people.
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My Parents Said I Bruised Easily
An excerpt from “Estranged: Leaving Family and Finding Home,” by Jessica Berger Gross.
What We Get Wrong about Hannah Arendt
The lessons we are drawing from her work may not be the one we most need to learn.
The Queen of the Night
The first chapter from Alexander Chee’s much-anticipated second novel.
‘Trilby,’ the Novel That Gave Us ‘Svengali’
George du Maurier’s Trilby, published in 1894, became one of the most popular novels of its time. The story introduced us to a young heroine, Trilby, and a memorable villain, Svengali, whose names have since taken on lives of their own.
Longreads Best of 2016: Political Analysis
We asked a few writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here, the best in political analysis.
Five Stories About Espionage
Today’s spying relies on social media, surveillance, coercion and ambition.
10 Outstanding Short Stories to Read in 2016
Below is a guest post from Mumbai-based writer-filmmaker—and longtime #longreads contributor—Pravesh Bhardwaj (@AuteurPravesh).
The Controversy Surrounding Science Fiction’s Most Prestigious Award
At Wired, Amy Wallace reports on the controversy at the Hugo Awards, which has been plagued by accusations by a faction of mostly white male authors who call themselves “Puppies” and argue that storytelling has taken a backseat to identity politics.
Honeymooning with Elizabeth Taylor, and Crying All the While: The Fiction of Margot Hentoff
The Harper’s digital archive is a small and unsung national treasure, at least as far as I’m concerned; I’ve spent countless hours sifting through old issues, scanning for early work from familiar names and tracking down forgotten gems from authors whose bylines have largely faded. One such writer is Margot Hentoff, whose short story “Where Do […]
