literary criticism

Herman Melville, now hailed as a literary giant for "Moby Dick," endured a life marked by financial struggles and critical neglect. Despite his early success with travelogues, his ambitious later works, including "Moby Dick," were poorly received. Melville spent his final years in obscurity, only to be rediscovered posthumously, cementing his legacy as a profound American author.

Dior has launched a luxury collaboration with The World of Eric Carle, reimagining "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for a 23-piece capsule collection. The collection, seen on Macaulay Culkin, has sparked both excitement and debate over its high price point.

The genie of AI-aided or even AI-authored books is out. A literature Nobel laureate uses AI for her ideas. Dire implications for original human creativity won’t probably reverse this trend

Renowned Padma Shri awardee poet Bashir Badr passed away in Bhopal at 91 after a prolonged illness. Celebrated for his contemporary Urdu ghazals, Badr's poignant couplets, including "Ujale apni yaadon ke hamare saath rehne do," touched millions. His prolific career, marked by overcoming personal tragedy, leaves an indelible mark on Indian literature.

Odisha has launched two ambitious rural development schemes, Model Village Mission and Mahapurush Adarsha Gram Yojana, to equip villages with urban-level amenities and foster inclusive growth. These initiatives aim to transform Gram Panchayat headquarters into self-sustaining hubs and holistically develop areas linked to eminent personalities, bolstering infrastructure and living standards across the state.

'Aashram' actress Tridha Choudhury expressed her fervent desire to star in a grand cinematic adaptation of the Shiva Trilogy, calling it a dream come true. She revealed her admiration for the books and a strong wish to collaborate with Ranveer Singh, who reportedly holds the rights.

Mark Twain's wisdom, particularly his quote on desire over doubt, offers a powerful life lesson. Focusing on aspirations, not fears, fuels determination and drives success. This optimistic outlook, emphasizing self-belief and action, encourages individuals to pursue their dreams despite inevitable challenges, highlighting the importance of starting and persevering.

A literary spat erupts in Tamil Nadu politics as DMK leader A Raja's 'coconut tree' metaphor targets VCK and IUML joining CM Vijay's new government. VCK and the ruling TVK hit back, accusing the DMK of arrogance and questioning their own past alliances and commitment to social justice.

Yáng Shuāng-zǐ's "Taiwan Travelogue" has won the 2026 International Booker Prize, marking the first Mandarin Chinese novel to receive the award. The book, a fictional travel memoir set in 1930s Taiwan, explores a complex romance and postcolonial themes. Author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translator Lin King are the first Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American winners of the prestigious prize.

Trump, naturally, is the undisputed grandmaster of presidential profanity. His political rhetoric often sounds less like a State of the Union and more like a man yelling at a handyman who has messed up hanging the curtain rods

William Faulkner, a Nobel laureate, championed a philosophy of action and risk-taking in his writing. His quote, 'Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good,' encourages embracing imperfection and learning from failure. This approach is vital for innovation and achieving true excellence.

This Mother's Day, move beyond generic greetings to honor the women who raised you with meaningful messages. The article offers categorized heartfelt, witty, and minimalist quotes, acknowledging the "mental load" and celebrating "mothers of choice."

Vikas Divyakirti, ex-IPS and founder of Drishti IAS, has shared a nuanced take on the ongoing conversation around Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar franchise, starring Ranveer Singh, addressing questions around propaganda, creative liberty and the social impact of cinema. On the film’s reported nationalist undertones, Divyakirti said he has no issue with narratives critical of Pakistan. However, he flagged a more sensitive concern—how audiences interpret such narratives.

And today, one of the starkest outliers in the early trends is the performance of Vijay’s TVK. But who is Vijay, who, if trends hold, could become the new Thalapathy of Tamil Nadu politics?

Thomas Hardy, a pivotal English writer, transitioned from architecture to a prolific literary career, shaping the fictional region of Wessex. His novels, often marked by tragedy and determinism, explored societal constraints and human suffering. Hardy later shifted to poetry, leaving a lasting impact on both prose and verse.