Ron Charles
Veteran book critic (now at Substack’s Book World; formerly Washington Post) who posts reviews, reflections on authors, and literary culture.
Trump Pushes Banks over Alleged Debanking of His Associates
Trump is *still* trying to punish banks that tried to avoid working with shady characters like him. https://www.wsj.com/finance/regulation/jeanine-pirros-prosecutors-probe-big-banks-for-alleged-debanking-13568e9b?st=xdvqYN&reflink=article_copyURL_share
Self‑funded Debut: My First Paid Publisherswkly Issue
Big moment for me: My first issue of publisherswkly paid for with my own money.
Divorce Isn't Tragic: Review of “Lake Effect”
My review of Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s “Lake Effect” is up — a novel about what happens after two marriages fall apart (and why that might not be a tragedy). https://roncharles.substack.com/p/the-divorce-revolution-comes-to-suburbia
Congress Targets School Book Bans on Gender Identity
A new bill in Congress would punish schools for letting students read about gender identity — and “lascivious dancing.” Book bans aren’t fading. They’re evolving. Today’s newsletter: https://roncharles.substack.com/p/now-congress-is-coming-for-the-books
Greek Tragedy Meets Australian Outback in Stedman's Novel
M.L. Stedman’s new novel feels like a Greek tragedy transplanted to the Australian outback. My review of “A Far-Flung Life”: https://roncharles.substack.com/p/ml-stedman-is-back-with-another-impossible
Friendship Endures as Childhood Friends Diverge in New Novel
The author of ‘An American Marriage’ returns with a novel about two girlhood friends who set off in different directions. https://roncharles.substack.com/p/in-tayari-joness-kin-friendship-persists?r=atlgd