Science Fiction Fans Wail, Gnash Teeth

New York Sun reporter Ruth Graham chats with Jonathan Lethem. Who knew his brother was a "famous-- or notorious, depending on how you regard graffiti--graffiti artist"? (Well, you probably did, but I don't get out much.) We also learn that "Mr. Lethem's first four novels were experiments in form," which is apparently how the publishing industry now refers to early science fiction novels by respectable mainstream novelists these days. (It probably wouldn't be fair to blame Lethem himself; after all, he's been upfront from the beginning about his broader literary aspirations, and he certainly hasn't shied away from the fantastic in his recent work.)