Sam Sacks
@ssacks.bsky.social
Fiction critic at the Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/news/author/sam-sacks); editor at Open Letters Review, formerly Open Letters Monthly (https://openlettersreview.com/) sam_sacks [at] hotmail
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Donald Keene,
from Five Modern Nō Plays
by Yukio Mishima
from Five Modern Nō Plays
by Yukio Mishima
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Donald Keene,
from Five Modern Nō Plays
by Yukio Mishima
from Five Modern Nō Plays
by Yukio Mishima
Reposted by Sam Sacks
NEW: Today we published a new investigation into something happening largely out of view: immigrant kids getting separated from their families and placed in federal shelters, in some cases after something as mundane as a traffic stop🧵 1/
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.
Under a zero tolerance policy, the first Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. New data suggests separations are happening all over the count...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:58 PM
NEW: Today we published a new investigation into something happening largely out of view: immigrant kids getting separated from their families and placed in federal shelters, in some cases after something as mundane as a traffic stop🧵 1/
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Lance Richardson takes on the great artist/unpleasant person dilemma with rigor, honesty & style in 'True Nature,' his biography of Peter Matthiessen. Best of all are the bio's deep-dives into Matthiessen's books. I hope this revives interest in 'Far Tortuga' (gift link). www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘True Nature’ Review: The Restless Peter Matthiessen
The writer of “The Snow Leopard” and “At Play in the Fields of the Lord” wrote of nature’s austere simplicity. The man himself was anything but simple.
www.wsj.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Lance Richardson takes on the great artist/unpleasant person dilemma with rigor, honesty & style in 'True Nature,' his biography of Peter Matthiessen. Best of all are the bio's deep-dives into Matthiessen's books. I hope this revives interest in 'Far Tortuga' (gift link). www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
"The Golden Boy," a long extract--really, a standalone novella--from Daniyal Muenuddin's extraordinary forthcoming "This Is Where the Serpent Lives," has just been published by the New Yorker www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
“The Golden Boy,” by Daniyal Mueenuddin
Bayazid had never quite given up the fantasy he nurtured in boyhood, of discovering himself a child of some minister or prince.
www.newyorker.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"The Golden Boy," a long extract--really, a standalone novella--from Daniyal Muenuddin's extraordinary forthcoming "This Is Where the Serpent Lives," has just been published by the New Yorker www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
A minute with Romeo and Juliet, the Central Park coyotes, as seen at night through thermal video. 🐺 ❤️
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A minute with Romeo and Juliet, the Central Park coyotes, as seen at night through thermal video. 🐺 ❤️
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Marimar Martinez is a US citizen who was shot by ICE five times in Chicago.
She was then arrested, labelled a “domestic terrorist” and slandered on social media.
All charges against her have been dropped.
In this interview she shows on of the seven holes the ICE agent put in her body.
She was then arrested, labelled a “domestic terrorist” and slandered on social media.
All charges against her have been dropped.
In this interview she shows on of the seven holes the ICE agent put in her body.
November 22, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Marimar Martinez is a US citizen who was shot by ICE five times in Chicago.
She was then arrested, labelled a “domestic terrorist” and slandered on social media.
All charges against her have been dropped.
In this interview she shows on of the seven holes the ICE agent put in her body.
She was then arrested, labelled a “domestic terrorist” and slandered on social media.
All charges against her have been dropped.
In this interview she shows on of the seven holes the ICE agent put in her body.
'“Hedonism ruined theatrical fellow (8),” for example, might be a clue for a certain late genius of the Broadway musical (“theatrical fellow”) whose eight-letter surname is “hedonism” anagrammed (i.e., “ruined”).' Solve the cryptic in Tim Farrington's review! www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘Matching Minds With Sondheim’ and ‘Ambigrammia’: The Art of the Puzzle
How wordplay and devilish games of deduction can be as satisfying to the soul as a song.
www.wsj.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
'“Hedonism ruined theatrical fellow (8),” for example, might be a clue for a certain late genius of the Broadway musical (“theatrical fellow”) whose eight-letter surname is “hedonism” anagrammed (i.e., “ruined”).' Solve the cryptic in Tim Farrington's review! www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
Lance Richardson takes on the great artist/unpleasant person dilemma with rigor, honesty & style in 'True Nature,' his biography of Peter Matthiessen. Best of all are the bio's deep-dives into Matthiessen's books. I hope this revives interest in 'Far Tortuga' (gift link). www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘True Nature’ Review: The Restless Peter Matthiessen
The writer of “The Snow Leopard” and “At Play in the Fields of the Lord” wrote of nature’s austere simplicity. The man himself was anything but simple.
www.wsj.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Lance Richardson takes on the great artist/unpleasant person dilemma with rigor, honesty & style in 'True Nature,' his biography of Peter Matthiessen. Best of all are the bio's deep-dives into Matthiessen's books. I hope this revives interest in 'Far Tortuga' (gift link). www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
A mother who spent more than 30 years building a life in Maine was deported to Vietnam, separating her from her four children. Her family says the decision has shattered their lives.
Link: www.wagmtv.com/2025/11/20/a...
Link: www.wagmtv.com/2025/11/20/a...
‘Absolutely horrible’: Mother of 4 deported to Vietnam after living in US for more than 30 years
A Maryland community has rallied to support Melissa Tran and her family over the past several months.
www.wagmtv.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A mother who spent more than 30 years building a life in Maine was deported to Vietnam, separating her from her four children. Her family says the decision has shattered their lives.
Link: www.wagmtv.com/2025/11/20/a...
Link: www.wagmtv.com/2025/11/20/a...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
November 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Reposted by Sam Sacks
This conversation between Oscar Peterson & Dick Cavett gives me so much joy!
youtube.com/watch?v=ec-F...
youtube.com/watch?v=ec-F...
Oscar Peterson Piano Lesson
YouTube video by David Funk
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
This conversation between Oscar Peterson & Dick Cavett gives me so much joy!
youtube.com/watch?v=ec-F...
youtube.com/watch?v=ec-F...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
"Things happen" sometimes, like when you walk into an embassy to apply for your marriage license while your bride-to-be waits outside, but then you get bonesawed to pieces for having exercised freedom of speech as an US-based journalist and have to be carried out in a series of suitcases.
Musicians take note: my family in Holland has opened a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Dutch countryside, on site with a 5-room B&B. Overseen by experts, very fairly priced, great for retreats and recording projects. And an extremely beautiful location. www.kerkenstein.com/banana-bread...
Banana Bread Studio – Residential Recording Studio with B&B, Drum Room & Steinway Grand Piano — Kerkenstein
Banana Bread Studio is a new 80m² residential recording studio (2025) with 5 B&B rooms for overnight stays. Record your next album or EP in a cozy, professional space with a Steinway C Grand Piano (re...
www.kerkenstein.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Musicians take note: my family in Holland has opened a state-of-the-art recording studio in the Dutch countryside, on site with a 5-room B&B. Overseen by experts, very fairly priced, great for retreats and recording projects. And an extremely beautiful location. www.kerkenstein.com/banana-bread...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Time for a thread of all the things that Stephen Miller and his band of morons are doing to make enemies of state/local authorities.
Let's start things off with some spice for the CPD.
Let's start things off with some spice for the CPD.
October 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Time for a thread of all the things that Stephen Miller and his band of morons are doing to make enemies of state/local authorities.
Let's start things off with some spice for the CPD.
Let's start things off with some spice for the CPD.
It all makes for a good advertisement for Barton Swaim's hilarious political memoir about being Mark Sanford's speechwriter when he was SC governor (the time of the 'Appalachian Trail' incident). “He knew bad writing when he saw it, except when he was the author." www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/b...
Review: In ‘The Speechwriter,’ Barton Swaim Shares Tales of Working for Mark Sanford (Published 2015)
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:41 AM
It all makes for a good advertisement for Barton Swaim's hilarious political memoir about being Mark Sanford's speechwriter when he was SC governor (the time of the 'Appalachian Trail' incident). “He knew bad writing when he saw it, except when he was the author." www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/b...
Very glad to read two discerning reviews by Joanna Biggs (www.nybooks.com/articles/202...) & Josie Mitchell (www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...) about Kate Riley's "Ruth," a novel I loved. IMO there's more of a coherent storyline to this fragmentary book than either review suggests. But still top pieces.
Staying Power | Joanna Biggs
In Ruth, Kate Riley portrays the interior life of her title character with a richness that is at odds with Ruth’s austere Anabaptist community.
www.nybooks.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Very glad to read two discerning reviews by Joanna Biggs (www.nybooks.com/articles/202...) & Josie Mitchell (www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...) about Kate Riley's "Ruth," a novel I loved. IMO there's more of a coherent storyline to this fragmentary book than either review suggests. But still top pieces.
"At the premiere in August 1964, a rapturous audience gave 'Mary Poppins' a standing ovation. Travers remained sour." An amusing review on the cold war over Mary Poppins between Disney and P.L. Travers. www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘Making Mary Poppins’ Review: Tunesmiths in Glad Company
The Sherman brothers were struggling Hollywood songwriters when Walt Disney assigned them to his adaptation of “Mary Poppins.”
www.wsj.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"At the premiere in August 1964, a rapturous audience gave 'Mary Poppins' a standing ovation. Travers remained sour." An amusing review on the cold war over Mary Poppins between Disney and P.L. Travers. www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
"Throughout her life, Clampitt gorged herself on sensory details." A lovely piece by Anthony Domestico on Amy Clampitt, whose poetry is so vivid and profuse it can even "dramatize the seemingly static act of sustained observation." www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Ever Inward | Anthony Domestico
A biography of the poet Amy Clampitt shows how poetry germinated throughout her life and blossomed in a late-career flourishing.
www.nybooks.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
"Throughout her life, Clampitt gorged herself on sensory details." A lovely piece by Anthony Domestico on Amy Clampitt, whose poetry is so vivid and profuse it can even "dramatize the seemingly static act of sustained observation." www.nybooks.com/articles/202...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
As ICE Street Raids Ramp Up, New Yorkers Stock Up On Whistles
Taking a cue from Chicago, community groups have distributed thousands of whistles in recent weeks — a grassroots system people in other cities have adopted to help neighbors sound the alarm.
www.thecity.nyc
November 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“Short bursts indicate an ICE sighting. Long whistles indicate agents making arrests. If you hear the whistle and you’re undocumented, said [Whitney Hu, a community activist and organizer with South Brooklyn Mutual Aid], ‘you hide. And if you’re somebody who’s not, you go to the street.’”
What a great prompt. It would be nice if the omission of Thomas Wolfe were rectified, especially now that he's completely forgotten.
What writer would you like to see get a volume (or more) in the Library of America?
November 17, 2025 at 1:41 AM
What a great prompt. It would be nice if the omission of Thomas Wolfe were rectified, especially now that he's completely forgotten.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Thinking of becoming a Library of America member? Do it now and get one of the first copies of my new book George Templeton Strong: Civil War Diaries! submemb.loa.org/join-library...
November 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Thinking of becoming a Library of America member? Do it now and get one of the first copies of my new book George Templeton Strong: Civil War Diaries! submemb.loa.org/join-library...