The series: An introduction
By the editors of Salon Books

Life and life only At the top of his form, Philip Roth delivers an astounding novel about three issues that make Americans crazy: Race, sex and Monica.
By Charles Taylor

Salon recommends The pick of recent fiction, from the critics and editors of Salon Books.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2000

Painting the eyes of a god Michael Ondaatje, author of "The English Patient," returns with a shimmering, suspenseful tale of a skeleton with a dreadful secret.
By Gary Kamiya

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2000

It's a theme-park life In George Saunders' savage, soulful satires, ordinary people face real crises in a disturbingly artificial America.
By Chris Lehmann

Knuckle-puller makes goodGeorge Saunders talks about the bumpy road that led to his strange but far from implausible fiction.
By Laura Miller

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2000

Espionage and exile Bosnian immigrant Aleksandar Hemon brilliantly mingles grand history and personal story in his debut collection.
By George Packer

More spilled spaghetti Aleksandar Hemon, author of "The Question of Bruno," talks about his favorite spies and the need for messiness in American fiction.
By Laura Miller

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2000

The flower of cities all In Zadie Smith's remarkable debut novel, London is a merry capital of mismatched lovers.
By Maria Russo

Girl wonder The life so far of multiracial literary sensation Zadie Smith.
By Maria Russo