After the Bible, the Tao Te Ching is the second most translated text in the world, and certainly it is the most famous and influential book of ancient Chinese wisdom in the West. Why, then, with dozens of versions already available, would we need a new one – especially by a translator who made his name in classical Japanese samurai literature? “My friends all ask that same … [Read more...]
Eminent critic Farber lives again in new collection of film essays
For many, the biggest surprise from this year’s Oscar telecast was not Hugh Jackman’s better-than-average hosting job or the upset victory of Departures for Best Foreign Language Film. It was the inclusion of critic Manny Farber in the montage of recently deceased cinematic luminaries. For me, watching Farber’s outsider name fade in, and seconds later fade out, on the onstage … [Read more...]