Literature

Poet and translator Jack Hirschman was known for championing fellow writers, particularly unsung voices from the working class and people whose first language isn’t English. <ins>(Photo by Marco Bakker/Courtesy Agneta Falk)</ins>

Agneta Falk on Jack Hirschman’s arcane life and love

‘Word man’ was legend among street artists, poets and those we used to call hipsters

 

“Radiant Fugitives” by Nawaaz Ahmed is a poignant family tragedy. (Courtesy photo) “Radiant Fugitives” by Nawaaz Ahmed is a poignant family tragedy. (Courtesy photo)

‘Radiant Fugitives’ explores ties that bind, and divide, a Muslim family

Nawaaz Ahmed’s SF-set novel links personal, political conflicts with passion, empathy

 

The band Retrovirus is among Lydia Lunch’s 21st century projects. (Courtesy Kathleen Fox)

For provocateur Lydia Lunch, the war is never over

Punk, performance art legend appears af SF screening of doc about her life

 

Linda Rui Feng’s debut novel deftly describes the huge emotional impact of China’s Cultural Revolution on immigrants to America. (Author photo courtesy Lisa Sakulensky)

‘Swimming Back to Trout River’ evocatively examines impact of China’s Cultural Revolution

Linda Rui Feng captures human condition in compelling novel

Linda Rui Feng’s debut novel deftly describes the huge emotional impact of China’s Cultural Revolution on immigrants to America. (Author photo courtesy Lisa Sakulensky)
“Essential Truths: The Bay Area in Color” collects writings by Bay Area essayists and poets. (Courtesy photo)

People of color share ‘Essential Truths’

Bay Area writers, artists tell stories of overcoming adversity

“Essential Truths: The Bay Area in Color” collects writings by Bay Area essayists and poets. (Courtesy photo)
Carol Edgarian’s “Vera” vividly details life in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Courtesy Lucy Jenks)

To find out what life in SF was like after the 1906 quake, read ‘Vera’

Carol Edgarian’s novel is an ode to the resiliency of SF and its people

Carol Edgarian’s “Vera” vividly details life in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. (Courtesy Lucy Jenks)
Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

‘Keeper of the Fire’ matches words with images

Filmmaker Lou Dematteis sheds light on poet Alejandro Murguía

Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Paula McLain’s “When the Stars Go Dark” is a tragic thriller written with grace and hope. (Author photo courtesy Melanie Acevedo)

SFPD detective at center of sensitive novel ‘When the Stars Go Dark’

Paula McLain’s latest is an astute thriller

Paula McLain’s “When the Stars Go Dark” is a tragic thriller written with grace and hope. (Author photo courtesy Melanie Acevedo)
Chaney Kwak descibes a wild cruise during an epic storm in “The Passenger.” (Author photo courtesy Michael Baca)

‘The Passenger’ hilariously recounts one travel writer’s adventures

Chaney Kwak amusingly dispels myths about cruising, and much more

Chaney Kwak descibes a wild cruise during an epic storm in “The Passenger.” (Author photo courtesy Michael Baca)
The involving historical novel “The Bohemians” imagines photographer Dorothea Lange’s life in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)

‘Bohemians’ explores life of legendary photographer Dorothea Lange

Artist’s talent, compassion revealed in Jasmin Darznik’s historical novel

The involving historical novel “The Bohemians” imagines photographer Dorothea Lange’s life in San Francisco. (Courtesy photo)
Teacher and activist Benjamin Bac Sierra is the author of “Pura Neta,” a novel about life in San Francisco’s Mission. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Benjamin Bac Sierra: From San Pancho with amor

Former street kid spreads love with teaching, writing, activism

Teacher and activist Benjamin Bac Sierra is the author of “Pura Neta,” a novel about life in San Francisco’s Mission. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Poet-philosopher Elsa Gidlow released her autobiography, “Elsa, I Come with My Songs,” in 1986. (Courtesy Marcelina Martin)

The times are finally catching up with Elsa Gidlow

Lesbian, poet, nature lover created bohemian artists community in Mill Valley

  • Mar 14, 2021
Poet-philosopher Elsa Gidlow released her autobiography, “Elsa, I Come with My Songs,” in 1986. (Courtesy Marcelina Martin)
Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)

Novel insightfully looks at the lives of homeless people

Katherine Seligman offers empathy in the ‘At the Edge of the Haight’

Katherine Seligman’s “At the Edge of the Haight” tells the story of a homeless woman who lives in Golden Gate Park. (Courtesy Algonquin Books)
From left, Natasha Dennerstein, Gar McVey-Russell, Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Jan Steckel and Miah Jeffra appear in Perfectly Queer’s fifth anniversary reading on Jan. 20.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

Perfectly Queer reading series celebrates fifth anniversary

Online event features five writers, games, prizes

From left, Natasha Dennerstein, Gar McVey-Russell, Lucy Jane Bledsoe, Jan Steckel and Miah Jeffra appear in Perfectly Queer’s fifth anniversary reading on Jan. 20.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
"Fifth Chinese Daughter" and "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco" are two engaging non-fiction titles touching on The City's rich history. (Courtesy photos)

A diverse reading list to welcome 2021

Here are 10 recommended books, many with SF ties

"Fifth Chinese Daughter" and "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco" are two engaging non-fiction titles touching on The City's rich history. (Courtesy photos)
Andrew Faulk wrote "My Epidemic." (Courtesy photo)

Doctor’s memoir a fitting remembrance for World AIDS Day

‘My Epidemic’ tells personal stories of men who died

Andrew Faulk wrote "My Epidemic." (Courtesy photo)
South Bay author Mickie Winkler’s one term as Menlo Park’s mayor inspired her new humorous book. (Courtesy photo)

Funny musings from Menlo Park’s former mayor

Mickie Winkler takes on daily life, politics in illustrated collection

South Bay author Mickie Winkler’s one term as Menlo Park’s mayor inspired her new humorous book. (Courtesy photo)
Reza Farazmand of “Poorly Drawn Lines” fame has written his first full-length graphic novel. (Author photo courtesy Vivian Sachs)

‘Poorly Drawn Lines’ creator Reza Farazmand debuts ‘City Monster’

Friends go on a funny low-stakes mission in new full-length graphic novel

Reza Farazmand of “Poorly Drawn Lines” fame has written his first full-length graphic novel. (Author photo courtesy Vivian Sachs)
Obi Kaufmann’s new nature and art volume is “The Forests of California.” (Courtesy photo)

Forum on ‘Forests of California’ towers at virtual Litquake

Beloved SF literary festival goes online during pandemic, remains jam-packed

Obi Kaufmann’s new nature and art volume is “The Forests of California.” (Courtesy photo)
Yaa Gyasi has followed her acclaimed novel “Homegoing” with “Transcendent Kingdom,” about the experiences of a family from Ghana living in America. (Courtesy Peter Hurley/Vilcek Foundation) .

Yaa Gyasi’s ‘Transcendent Kingdom’ is masterful

Sweeping novel addresses hopes, tragedies of Ghanaian family in U.S.

Yaa Gyasi has followed her acclaimed novel “Homegoing” with “Transcendent Kingdom,” about the experiences of a family from Ghana living in America. (Courtesy Peter Hurley/Vilcek Foundation) .