3 months ago
- The reviewer initially enjoyed contemporary N+1 but found its recent issues less impressive after reading iconic early ones from 2006 (Issue #4) and later (Issue #7), which featured electrifying polemical essays by writers like Elif Batuman and Benjamin Kunkel.
- N+1's signature first-person essays mix narrative and analysis, allowing writers to showcase individual talent. Standout examples include Hannah Zeavin's piece on a far-left cult and Lily Scherlis's on group therapy, though others suffer from a 'So What?' factor, lacking broader significance.
- The magazine's early success stemmed from a cohesive, provocative voice among Harvard-connected editors, but after original editors left around 2013-2015, it became a nonprofit with increased frequency, losing some polemical energy and consistency in quality.
- Compared to The Drift (founded 2020), N+1 excels in first-person essays but lacks The Drift's polemical edge, while The Drift misses N+1's ability to launch new literary stars. Both journals have complementary strengths.
- Overall, N+1 remains a decent read, but its decline reflects regression to the mean. The reviewer recommends exploring early issues to experience its peak, highlighting the joy of its once-annoying, galaxy-brained style.