This is a wonderfully consistent profile, with thorough and effective characterization. Lewin provides telling details that stick to a theme, and yet the portrayal is not simplistic. Her material is particular and intimate. We liked, for example, the protagonist Della … Read more
Like another series by Nutt on this site, “The Seekers,” this piece is not truly narrative. But it shows how a companionable voice and a sense of destination, applied to a huge, abstract topic, can make us readers feel we’re … Read more
In this fourth installment in the Times’ series on class, Lewin provides lots of quotes, and not much dialogue or scene—and yet the intimate reporting, the insightful and probing look at this cross-class marriage, gives the piece the feel of … Read more
We particularly like the first several sections of this piece. Earls provides an effective sequential experience for her readers: first a cliffhanger beginning, then an efficient summary of the topic, then an authoritative composite of her main character, Katherine. We … Read more
This is as much a story about suicide and those affected by it as it is a story about the particular life and death of a passionate, brilliant writer. By carefully telling the tale of Chang’s life and her suicide, … Read more
By spending a day with Army recruiters, Moehringer shows us much about the hurdles the Army faces in keeping up with the war in Iraq. At the same time, Moehringer’s engaging, effective portrayals of character make for an entertaining read. Read more
We like to see a profile of an inspiring character that’s also fun and engaging rather than sentimental. We like the casual, affectionate tone of this piece, with its lively scenes, telling detail and pertinent theme. Read “Mint … Read more
McKay’s march of harsh details form a bleak and informative picture. She writes in a frank, detached tone, with strong verbs and tight sentences. She shows that intimate reporting can reveal economic and social trends. Her ending, in which she … Read more
Ana Flores was walking with her three-year-old daughter in downtown Chicago when a piece of window glass got loose from a building, fell and killed Ana. Kiernan writes about the incident with clean and active sentences. We admired her reconstruction … Read more
This is an efficient, well-paced and engaging series about the kidnapping of an 88-year-old woman. It’s a crime tale, classic in its what’s-gonna-happen-next unfolding. It’s plot-driven—this is not a piece with in-depth character development—but that’s to be expected in a … Read more
