this is the late review

a casual blog of late reviews

Often I find myself wanting to write reviews of — or short essays about — things that are not new, not generating any buzz, and perhaps are even, I dare to say, old. I spend a lot of time as a writer in periods of observation that are not necessarily keyed into the zeitgeist, that are merely sitting with something in a non-hot-take way. Speaking as an architecture critic, this is especially true of buildings, which so rarely drum up public interest to begin with, and when they do, it’s usually the same five architects doing the same five gimmicks they always do — gimmicks I rarely like. But it’s also true of essays, images, films, books, culture, and everyday life. I’ve been a freelancer and blogger most of my adult life. Now I’m writing a book — a whole other beast. This newsletter, which will be published when the mood strikes, is dedicated to those snippets of writing that fall through the cracks or don’t have a home.

Writers work in an atmosphere held hostage by a cycle of trends. Most publications are, due to the digital revenue model, dependent on immediacy and relevancy above all. The best thing to be in journalism (and other forms of writing alike) is first. It’s always bothered me how there is little appetite for non-longform writing about the old outside of anniversaries, retrospectives, obituaries, or unexpected revivals. There are also many worthwhile new or recently released works that get passed over in favor of the few big names that generate 90% of the hype — it’s silly to pretend otherwise. In my experience, this is overwhelmingly true of architecture (most of which goes unwritten about) and literature (that’s the whole business of the publishing industry.) Regarding culture, it is rarely possible to pitch something, write about it, and have it edited and published prior to ever-shortening expiration dates, which I think explains the popularity of Substack among culture writers. If you missed the boat when something was released, or weren’t granted the exclusive access necessary to be first, the interest in publishing a late review is piteously low.

This newsletter does not pretend to correct that wrong, but it does posit a chance for me to write freed from those specific constraints. I started it because, like it says on the tin, I’ve frequently I’ve had the thought, I should review x. I should review the Louis Sullivan Target. I should review O’Hare airport. I should review AI-generated “Dark Fantasy” TikToks. I should review weird French medieval movies from the 1970s. I should really try stomaching HGTV again. But who the hell would read it? Who knows! The key to something like this for me, a serial project starter, is to keep it explicitly lowkey, which Substack is pretty good for. I’ve reached a stage in my career where I can finally believe that people like my writing and want more of it and so, if I’m already writing it, why not share it? After all: better late than never.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to tardiness.

kate

P.S.: Because of its casualness, I’ve decided to keep the newsletter free and open, but if you like it, there’s an option to pay for it.