Famously harsh New York Times book critic Michiko Kakutani has clearly taken a liking to prolific New Yorker writer and "Deadline Poet" columnist for The Nation Calvin Trillin's latest political book: apparently moved to write a poem, she reviewed it in verse. You know, in the style of his book, also written in verse! "Trillin recounted this all with verve and élan/Charting the candidates’ every slogan and plan." Check out the excerpt—and then you can turn the table and judge her poetic efforts.
"McCain’s pick of Palin was more grist for the mill, Caribou Barbie saw herself as a tool of God’s will, At least that’s how Trillin saw the lass from Alaska, Whom Republicans hoped would play in Nebraska."
And:
"Trillin praised the country’s choice to reboot In verse that was witty, quick and acute. What had begun two books back as a wry chronicle of woe Became a tribute to the nation’s ability to grow." [NYT]
We appreciate the bold break from form, but reviewing a book in the style it was written is totally a Janet Maslin move—like she did with James Frey's new novel. Let's not ever imitate Maslin.