Author Evan Hunter, perhaps better known as Ed McBain, died of cancer this past Wednesday. "He was diagnosed with throat cancer three years ago and also had had three heart attacks and triple-bypass surgery. He was 78."

The Wisconsin State Journal takes a look at Orson Scott Card and his latest offering, Magic Street. Card is best known for his novel, Ender's Game, and he firmly believes that sci-fi/fantasy isn't about escapism. "'I don't think of what I do or what any of the science fiction and fantasy writers do as being escapism. Quite the contrary. I know that I'm writing literature, and my readers know as well'."

"Julian Barnes's latest novel tells the story of Arthur Conan Doyle's real-life detective adventure. He tells Stuart Jeffries why he chose that particular eminent Edwardian - and why he won't be reading the reviews, good or bad" Stuart Jeffries is reporting for The Guardian Unlimited and the name of the novel is Arthur and George. This one is going on my list!

The Guardian also takes a look at Doris Lessing's new novel, The Story of General Dann and Maria's Daughter and the Snow Dog.
- posted by M @ 12:12 PM