Holly MacArthur

Yeah, yeah, I know, this is a quarterly literary magazine, but as this is the last issue—after twenty years of featuring some of the finest examples of the written word—I feel that it deserves a look and a review. Issue volume 20, number 4, spans over 400 pages and includes an impressive array of fiction, essay, other nonfiction, and some grand poetry. There are goodbyes from both the editor in chief/publisher, Win McCormack, and the editor Rob Spillman, that set the stage for a magazine that I just can’t believe is gone from the literary landscape. There is even an apt quote from Bob Dylan.

But the time ain’t tall
Yet on time you depend and no word
is possessed
By no special friend
A though the line is cut
It ain’t quite the end
I’ll just bid farewell till we meet again.

I ordered this back issue online (even got a T-shirt) and once I started flipping through the table of contents, it was truly impressive. Favorite writers of all stripes were everywhere. My favorite poet, James Tate—a current fixation of mine—was even well represented. Just some of the more than sixty writers that shined between these covers were: Karen Russell, Elizabeth McKenzie, Aimee Bender, Anthony Doerr, Sharon Olds, Nick Flynn, Colin Whitehead, Brenda Hillman, and Fran Tirado. However, if you happen to find a copy of this issue, please ignore my list, and take every writer for a spin, as it was nearly impossible to be disappointed in this collection.
I never read every issue of the magazine, but I was always glad when I did pick one up. Literary magazines are great places to find new favorite writers, as well as to visit an old friend. Certainly, there are many other fine literary magazines left, but there is now a large hole in the world of magazines. The name Tin House continues on as a publisher of some fine books, but you will no longer be able to first read a writer’s work in the magazine or on their website.
This is a great collection to keep on a shelf, to always have ready to be taken down at any moment, flipped through, and to impress you.… (plus d'informations)