Quiet artworks sometimes make the deepest impressions
In a sensationalist age, they are too often shouted down
“Quiet” is a harmless word that, in the cultural world, can be a euphemism, even a slur. Often it refers to tales of humdrum lives that lack the hoopla of seismic themes, exotic settings, twists and gore. A quiet book, in literary-speak, is one that doesn’t sell. More than ever, a quietly humane film is likely to be shouted down by superheroes. That is a shame, as quiet art can be moving and profound.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The rest is silence”
Culture May 20th 2023
- In 1983 Arthur Miller directed one of his best-known plays in China
- “Fancy Bear Goes Phishing” charts the evolution of hacking
- In Emma Cline’s new novel, a young woman loses control of her life
- Wings v tenders: the choice says more about you than you think
- In “Fatherland”, an author reckons with his Nazi grandfather
- Quiet artworks sometimes make the deepest impressions
From the May 20th 2023 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Culture
Want to spend time with a different American president?
Five presidential biographies to distract you from the news
Los Angeles has lost some of its trailblazing architecture
How will it rebuild?
What firms are for
The framework for thinking about business and capitalism is hopelessly outdated, argues a new book
Greg Gutfeld, America’s most popular late-night host, rules the airwaves
The left gave him his perch
Astrology is booming, thanks to technology and younger enthusiasts
Gen Z is full of stargazing users
Why matcha, made from green tea, is the drink of the moment
Is it really a healthy alternative to coffee? Not the way Gen Z orders it