Author: Mark Naida (Mark Naida)

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Novel glimpses into the poet’s mind
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Novel glimpses into the poet’s mind

Nicholson Baker’s mind captures the “fine suddenness” of every moment. His work fixates on the minutiae of the everyday experience while largely ignoring the notion of a plot. His dense, accurate prose tightens the reader’s grip on reality. Two of his more recent projects, however, develop a compelling and sophisticated narrative. His two most recent...

Wiman suffers with silence: ‘Every Riven Thing’ struggles with the silence of God
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Wiman suffers with silence: ‘Every Riven Thing’ struggles with the silence of God

The silence of God can be suffocating. The modern God, whom Wiman refers to as his “Bright Abyss,” is not an unquestioned cornerstone. We find ourselves bereft of a habitually stated vision of God. No longer do we have the rituals or rhythms to spiritually cope with tragedies, the death of a daughter, a diagnosis...

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‘The Force Awakens’ In Review: Sophomore Mark Naida derides latest ‘Star Wars’ installment as ‘just banal enough to reawaken the fuzzy feelings’ of the original films

It is clearly a “Star Wars” film. There is the ever gruff and blasé Harrison Ford attempting to reprise a less arthritic version of himself. There is Carrie Fisher arising from the ether to recapitulate the mythos cemented in the days when Jabba kept her by his side in flimsy garments. There are lightsabers, blasters,...