Benjamin Lytal

Benjamin Lytal is the author of the novel A Map of Tulsa. He teaches fiction at the University of Chicago Graham School.

First Flight

Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One

The Nigerian-American novelist’s first novel (now published here after ‘Open City’) shows a writer finding his way but already fearless, nimble, and surprising.

Benjamin Lytal

Fiction Problems

What Should Be Your Favorite Book?

What do we talk about when we talk about the books that mean something to us? Benjamin Lytal ponders while reading two new books (from Rebecca Mead and W. G. Sebald) about books.

Benjamin Lytal

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The Chechen Grievance

Benjamin Lytal checks in on Tolstoy’s tale of anti-heroism and betrayal, ‘Hadji Murad.’

Benjamin Lytal

The Forgotten Russian

We all know about Tolstoy, Chekhov, and Dostoevsky, but what about their compatriot, Nikolai Leskov? Benjamin Lytal on his elusive genius.

Benjamin Lytal

'A Thousand Pardons'

Judge Me Not

<p>In his new novel of forgiveness, <em>A Thousand Pardons</em>, Jonathan Dee reflects on our permanent guilt, but this effort doesn't engage with class anxiety as fully as his last. Benjamin Lytal reviews.</p>

Benjamin Lytal

Benjamin Lytal

Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One

What Should Be Your Favorite Book?

The Chechen Grievance

The Forgotten Russian

Judge Me Not

What’s the Matter with Mary

Be Interesting, Zany, and Cute