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The Quantum Theory of Suffering or Why I Look at the Moon
I only know this small piece of quantum theory: a thing does not exist until it is looked at or measured. That is, the moon does not exist until… More
Attacks and Censorship in Hong Kong
Is Hong Kong still a bastion of free expression in a region gripped by censorship? More
Remembering Robert Stone (1937–2015)
On behalf of PEN American Center and PEN's members and supporters, we mourn the loss and celebrate the life and work of novelist Robert Stone, who passed away on… More
A Writer’s Writer: On Translating Regina Ullmann
"Rilke would continue to champion Ullmann’s work until his death, along with other notable admirers including Thomas Mann and Hermann Hesse. Yet she remained what we today would call… More
Strawberries
With this translation, Beals introduces English-language readers to a sui generis early twentieth-century Swiss writer. Her sad and haunted voice is like no other—harsh and delicate; acrid and violet-scented.… More
Saudi Arabia: Halt Flogging of Raif Badawi
PEN implores the U.S. government to redouble their efforts to prevent tomorrow's whipping of Raif Badawi, a blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes. More
Vive Charlie Hebdo!
Michael Jackson, the Vatican, Christianity, Islam, LGBT, and the U.S.—we chose Six Charlie Hebdo covers that celebrate the power of creative freedom and satire. More
PEN Appalled by Savage Attack on French Satirical Magazine Charlie Hebdo
PEN International, PEN American Center, French PEN, PEN Lebanon, English PEN, and PEN Turkey condemn the unprecedented attack on the French publication, Charlie Hebdo’s office in Paris today in… More
PEN Condemns Murders of Charlie Hebdo Journalists
As writers, editors, and artists we stand together today in solidarity and outrage at the murder of our colleagues at Charlie Hebdo in Paris. More
Two Poems by Kirill Medvedev
On the day of my thirty-seventh birthday I ended up involved / in murdering the president. I was in charge of watching the windows of his palace / and… More