Books Update
On the Cover of the Sunday Book Review

'Diary of a Bad Year'
By J. M. COETZEEReviewed by KATHRYN HARRISON
The protagonist of “Diary of a Bad Year” is a mirror of J. M. Coetzee himself: a South African writer transplanted to Australia and the author of a novel titled “Waiting for the Barbarians.”
Times Topics: J. M. Coetzee


Also Reviewed This Week
'Modernism'
By PETER GAYReviewed by LEE SIEGEL
A cultural historian tries to make sense of modernism.

The Star Machine'
By JEANINE BASINGERReviewed by MANOHLA DARGIS
How the old Hollywood studio system discovered, refurbished, sold and sold out its most glamorous commodities.

'An Ordinary Spy'
By JOSEPH WEISBERGReviewed by MARK COSTELLO
The C.I.A. agent in Joseph Weisberg’s novel is a conventional yuppie schlub.

'The Painter Of Battles'
By ARTURO PÉREZ-REVERTEReviewed by LORRAINE ADAMS
In this Spanish novel, a war photographer confronts the morality of his work.
'
The Warmest Room in the House'
By STEVEN GDULAReviewed by DOMINIQUE BROWNING
A history of the kitchen in the 20th-century explains how the room came to be so central to modern life.

Books About Arthur Conan Doyle
Reviewed by JEREMY McCARTER
Andrew Lycett’s biography and a new collection of letters remind readers that Arthur Conan Doyle wanted to be remembered for more than Sherlock Holmes. Too bad for him.

'The Long Embrace'
By JUDITH FREEMANReviewed by TOM SHONE
A meditation on the 30-year marriage of Cecilia and Raymond Chandler.

'The Geography of Bliss'
By ERIC WEINERReviewed by PAMELA PAUL
A professed grouch travels to pleasurable destinations and analyzes their formulas for happiness.

'Liberal Fascism'
By JONAH GOLDBERGReviewed by DAVID OSHINSKY
Jonah Goldberg argues that 20th-century Democrats are fascists.

Ronnie: The Autobiography'
By RONNIE WOOD Reviewed by IRA ROBBINS
The autobiography of a Rolling Stones guitarist (not that one).
Poetry Chronicle
Reviews by ERIC McHENRY
New poetry collections from Kate Northrop, David Trinidad, W. G. Sebald, Cathy Song and Paul Guest.