Book cover of The Last Samurai

Book description

Helen DeWitt's 2000 debut, The Last Samurai, was "destined to become a cult classic" (Miramax). The enterprising publisher sold the rights in twenty countries, so "Why not just, 'destined to become a classic?'" (Garth Risk Hallberg) And why must cultists tell the uninitiated it has nothing to do with Tom…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Last Samurai as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I've recently felt down about American publishing with the closing of critical outlets and the conglomeration of publishers. This isn't the first time I've turned to Helen DeWitt's pin-sharp debut when thinking those thoughts. The book is as brilliant as the author is. I wish more contemporary writers challenged their readers in that way.

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On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

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