Elif Batuman is an American author who delves into the intricacies of academic life and the pursuit of meaning within literature. Her writing is celebrated for its almost "helplessly epigrammatical" style, characterized by sharp, witty observations. Batuman explores themes of education, cultural encounters, and deep engagement with texts. Her works invite readers to reflect on the learning process and how books shape our understanding of the world.
This anthology features original short stories from renowned international authors, each inspired by the surreal and thought-provoking themes of Franz Kafka's work. The collection explores existential dilemmas, absurdity, and the complexities of human experience, showcasing diverse voices that reflect Kafka's influence while offering fresh perspectives. Readers can expect a rich tapestry of narratives that challenge conventional storytelling and delve into the depths of the human psyche.
The new novel from the bestselling author of The Idiot follows one young woman's quest for self-knowledge, as she travels abroad and tests the limits of her newfound adulthood. 'Elif Batuman is the queen of the campus novel... Enchanting' Sunday Times SELIN IS THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN HER FAMILY: The only one who was born in America and got to go to Harvard. Now it's her second year, and Selin knows she has to make it count. The first order of business: to figure out the meaning of everything that happened over the summer... On the plus side, her life feels like the plot of an exciting novel. On the other hand, why do so many novels have crazy, abandoned women in them? And how does one live a life as interesting as a novel - a life worthy of becoming a novel - without turning into a crazy, abandoned woman oneself? 'Stupendous... Hilarious... Batuman is a genius' Vogue 'This novel wins you over in a million micro-observations' New York Times 'Searingly smart' Evening Standard
Batuman searches for the answers to the big questions in the details of lived experience, combining fresh readings of the great Russians with the sad and funny stories of the lives they continue to influence--including her own.
Selin, a tall, highly strung Turkish-American from New Jersey turns up at Harvard with no idea what to expect. What she doesn't expect is: - How much time she will spend thinking about language and its limitations; - An opinionated cosmopolitan Serb named Svetlana, who will become her confidante; - A mathematician from Hungary called Ivan, whom she will obsess over when she is supposed to be studying; - Feeling dangerously overwhelmed by the challenges and possibilities of adulthood. But most of all, Selin does not expect to embark on a study of precisely how baffling love can be when you are trying to forge a self...