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A review by ostrowk
The Best American Essays 2018 by Robert Atwan, Hilton Als
4.0
Here were my two favorite essays from BAE2018:
—Leslie Jamison's "The March on Everywhere" (https://harpers.org/archive/2017/04/the-march-on-everywhere/2/) about the the Women's March, but more broadly the shape of activism in one's life
—Kathryn Schulz's "Losing Streak" (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/13/when-things-go-missing) about 'loss', mostly that of her father
I loved several more. An essay about a memory of a UFO, for example, changed the way I think about the relationship between parents and children. Others I skipped or skimmed; it's hard, I imagine, for an essay collection by various writers to please every reader every time. Plus, I don't have the stamina I did when I was younger and in college and trying to prove that I could, should, and would learn everything about everything. Still, BAE2018 reminded me that an essay I wouldn't otherwise read can surprise me. Maybe this reminder will push me to tackle the downright insulting pile of New Yorkers in my kitchen. Probably not.
—Leslie Jamison's "The March on Everywhere" (https://harpers.org/archive/2017/04/the-march-on-everywhere/2/) about the the Women's March, but more broadly the shape of activism in one's life
—Kathryn Schulz's "Losing Streak" (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/13/when-things-go-missing) about 'loss', mostly that of her father
I loved several more. An essay about a memory of a UFO, for example, changed the way I think about the relationship between parents and children. Others I skipped or skimmed; it's hard, I imagine, for an essay collection by various writers to please every reader every time. Plus, I don't have the stamina I did when I was younger and in college and trying to prove that I could, should, and would learn everything about everything. Still, BAE2018 reminded me that an essay I wouldn't otherwise read can surprise me. Maybe this reminder will push me to tackle the downright insulting pile of New Yorkers in my kitchen. Probably not.