Benjamin S. Lerner is an American poet, novelist, essayist, and critic. The recipient of fellowships from the Fulbright, Guggenheim, and MacArthur Foundations, Lerner's work has been a finalist for the National Book Award for Poetry, the National Book Critics Circle Award in fiction, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Lerner teaches at Brooklyn College, where he was named a Distinguished Professor of English in 2016.
Original publication
2026
Average rating
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Opening Excerpt
From the storyIt would be one thing if I wrote fiction about Cromwell or aliens, but, given that my protagonists resemble me, how could I know you weren’t mixing us up?
Story Vibe & Style Profile
Emotional Weight
2.4 / 5
Reflective
Narrative Pacing
1.2 / 5
Contemplative
Literary Style
2.7 / 5
Clear Realism
Speculative / Reality
1.8 / 5
Realistic / Mimetic
Appearances
The New Yorker
The New Yorker June 29, 2026 · Jun 29, 2026
About the Author
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