new yorker goodies: pamuk and proulx

The New Yorker has an interesting short essay by Orhan Pamuk, whose trial is due to start on Friday. He reflects on the "overdramatization" of his plight, the continuing persecution of writers in Turkey, the impact of the Iraq war on the credibility of those who support "Western" democracy in the Middle East, and the link he percieves between the development of globalized middle classes and defensive nationalisms in many countries. The idea is interesting, although I'm not entirely convinced by the connection--at least in the Turkish case. Some of this emergent bourgeoisie has certainly embraced a nationalist posture, but the ideological stance predates their "reach for the global economy," and is by no means limited to their social class. I like this observation, though: "I do not think we shall truly understand the people who have been part of this transformation until we have seen their private lives reflected in novels."

Also, with Brokeback Mountain coming out in theatres this week, the New Yorker has republished E. Annie Proulx's story, which first appeared in its pages in 1997. Anthony Lane's review of the film version is here. If you haven't read the story, make time.