WLT Nov/Dec Issue in Full HTML Glory!

Last time I wrote about World Literature Today, I did so in some not entirely pleasant terms. Not because of WLT‘s content—which is always fantastic—but because of problems with my subscription (which, admittedly, I did nothing to try and correct prior to posting that post) and the WLT website (which, admittedly, is right in my wheelhouse of complaints and jokes).

Anyway, a physical copy of the new issue arrived last week with a really kind note from Assistant Director & Editor-in-Chief Daniel Simon addressing my subscription gripe and pointing out that the new issue is available entirely in HTML. On one hand, I feel bad for making fun of the old website (which, admittedly, did suck), but if that in any way helped bring about this radical change, I feel like I helped contribute to the greater good of all of humanity—and that it’s time for a celebratory beer! (Which, admittedly, sounds like a perfect end to the week.)

Thanks again, Daniel, I really appreciate the hard copy and really look forward to reading this issue—there’s a lot of great stuff in here. The main focus is Writing from Modern India, which was guest edited by Sudeep Sen and contains the following:

Two poems, in new translation, appear here by the celebrated Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar, who won the Oscar for the song “Jai Ho” from the recent film Slumdog Millionaire. There are poems in Hindi by Ashok Vajpeyi, Mangalesh Dabral, and Anamika; as well as others by K. Satchidanandan, Subodh Sarkar, and J. P. Das in Malayalam, Bengali, and Oriya, respectively.

The English-language section is spearheaded by the literary star Vikram Seth. There are finely engaging pieces by Amit Chaudhuri, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Meena Alexander, Amitava Kumar, Anita Nair, Daljit Nagra, Ravi Shankar, Beena Kamlani, and many others.

Samaresh Basu’s and Premendra Mitra’s evocative stories in Bengali add a rich texture to the overall anthology.

As a special tribute to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of India’s Nobel Laureate in Literature, Rabindranath Tagore, there is a bonus section online containing an unusual selection of his poetry and poem-songs.

Also included in this issue is a piece on Akashic’s Noir Series (we should have a review of Moscow Noir in the next few weeks), an essay on Aharon Appelfeld, and an interview with South African writer Rayda Jacobs. And as with every issue, there’s an extensive World Literature in Review section.

Just to give WLT a bit more love, I would recommend “liking” their Facebook page, and checking out their online book club. And while you’re at it, you could always subscribe—to either the print or digital editions.

Also, you can receive a free issue simply by filling out this form.

OK. Now I can enjoy my weekend with a clear(er) conscience.