Archive

Remembering the Real Genius of Christopher Hitchens, Not the Caricature

The coverage of Christopher Hitchens as a lovable curmudgeon does a disservice, writes Lee Siegel.

articles/2011/12/17/remembering-the-real-genius-of-christopher-hitchens-not-the-caricature/hitchens-siegel_fd5agj
Brooks Kraft / Corbis

The price paid for celebrity is caricature, and by the end of his rich, accomplished life, Christopher Hitchens had become everyone’s lovable curmudgeon. In the pages of publications that once would have nothing to do with him—The New York Times (they didn’t like his anti-Zionism), The New Yorker (they didn’t...

We think “subscriber” would look good on you. Join now to unlock access.

Don't miss this subscriber exclusive article. 

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.