One desire felt like it would make me more of who I already was, and the other would unmake me entirely.
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The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, our editors recommend stories by Eric Borsuk, Aaron Gell, Laurie Penny, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Will Rees.
Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story: A Course on Empathy
Scott Korb’s course explores the differences between empathy and sympathy, and how those nuances influence the art we make.
Discussion Questions
To generate discussion on the role of empathy in the creative practice, here are some questions based on both the talk itself and the three responses to it. * * * I. “Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story” Much of the source material for the talk references […]
Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story
I teach in Pacific University’s MFA in Writing program. Twice a year — once in January, once in June — the faculty and students gather in Oregon for 10 days of lectures, workshops, and readings. My wife is not wrong when she jokes that this is like camp for grown-ups. Still, I like to think […]
A Lover’s Blues: The Unforgettable Voice of Margie Hendrix
Remembering the woman who outsang Ray Charles.
The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Angora
Angora rabbit fur is fluffy, and silky, and was especially popular with two influential 20th-century groups: Hollywood starlets and Nazi officers. Â
“I Miss My Body When It Was Ferocious”: The Transfiguration of Paul Curreri
For years, singer-songwriter Paul Curreri was a shouter of singular beauty. Then he went quiet — slowly, at first, then all of a sudden.
Responses
We’re delighted to share three responses to Scott’s essay “Between the Wolf in the Tall Grass and the Wolf in the Tall Story” from Paul Bloom, William Gatewood, and Daniel Raeburn. Jump to responses by Paul, William, and Daniel. * * * The Arrogance of Empathy by Paul Bloom I don’t regret calling my last […]
The Corpse Rider
“I could see the ghosts,” recalled Lafcadio Hearn about his early childhood. Late in life, he became a celebrated chronicler of Japan’s folk tales: stories of strange demons and lingering visitations.

