Rice Paper
This is one of those tried and true magazines that I often forget to read, but am always glad after I do. It manages to stay fresh, diverse and engaging, due in no small part, I’m sure, to the vigorous community Asian writers, artists and activists whose public voice is sorely under-represented in big glossy Canadian mags. This issue touches on the new arctic territory Nunavut, interviews acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou, and includes a fascinating feature on Indonesian novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer and his new memoir reflecting on, among many things, 20 years of imprisonment. Toer’s question, “Is it possible to take from a man his right to speak for himself?” has been ringing in my ears since I first came upon it here. Of course there’s a smattering of boring stuff here too, but I’m sure that’s been said of this old bp too… (HC)