At a time when it may seem that writing about love has been exhausted, how does a writer approach a love story with a fresh perspective? These four novels, ranging from the perversely comic to the lyrical and sensuous, attempt this daunting task. ...

M. Elaine Mar is the author of the memoir Paper Daughter (HarperCollins). It's been a difficult year for all of us. We've been forced to think and feel about world events more deeply than ever. The struggle to build peace has become crucial...

[In the following essay, Knapp discusses with Sege why she wrote Drinking: A Love Story and details her experiences as an alcoholic.]

[Houghton is an American writer. In the mixed review of Drinking: A Love Story below, she praises Knapp's depiction of her own addiction but faults her portrayal of other alcoholics.]

[In the excerpt below, Lehmann-Haupt states that Knapp's account of her alcoholism "is a remarkable exercise in self-discovery."]