The Best American Essays 2023

October 9, 2023
In this solid entry in the long-running anthology series, editor Gornick (Taking a Long Look) brings together pieces that share the “strong, clear sound of a narrating voice that, in and of itself, is the organizing principle behind the essay.” Reflecting Gornick’s background as a memoirist and critic, the selections largely consist of personal narratives and cultural commentary. In the former camp, standouts include Eric Borsuk’s “Bidders of the Din,” which traces the author’s efforts to find “purpose” and “redemption” by writing a memoir during his seven-year stint in federal prison for stealing rare manuscripts from a university library, and Merrill Joan Gerber’s masterful “Revelation at the Food Bank,” about the indignities of aging and the small resentments that accumulated over her 62 years of marriage to her husband. In the latter category, Kathryn Schulz’s discerning analysis of James Salten’s novel Bambi studies how the Disney adaptation softened the original’s vision of life as a brutal dog-eat-dog competition for survival, and Phillip Lopate’s critique of the haughty intellectuals represented in a 1960 Partisan Review issue lambasts the snobbish tone of such writers as Lionel Abel, Leslie Fiedler, and Richard Wollheim. It’s an eclectic, accomplished collection rich in variety and talent.

Starred review from October 1, 2023

Reading this annual collection is like catching up with an old friend after a year apart. It offers joy and comfort and a familiarity that is good for the heart and soul. This is the 38th and last edition that will be overseen by series editor Atwan, who contributes a foreword discussing the growth in popularity of the essay format since he founded the series. Guest editor Gornick selected 21 essays published in the past year in American and Canadian periodicals. "Revelation at the Food Bank" by Merrill Joan Gerber focuses on the comfort the author receives from the friendly volunteers at the drive-through food bank line during the pandemic and reflects on 62 years of marriage. "Bidders of Din" by Eric Borsuk describes his time in federal prison after robbing a Kentucky university's rare book library. "Eat, Prey, Love" by Kathryn Schulz is an overview of the contentious story of a fawn in Felix Salten's 1922 novel Bambi, a Life in the Woods. VERDICT An excellent compendium of the year's best writing. Highly recommended for writing students, book discussion groups, and fans of the essay format.--Joyce Sparrow

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