Missouri Review

Customer Rating:
Summary: Hip Squared
Comment: I was compelled to write a review after I received my new copy of the Missouri Review (MR) a few weeks ago. Before I get into MR, I just wanted to say that they've recently changed the design of their journal for the better. They've always had a fairly nice design, but the new MR is slightly larger with excellent cover art (so you'll want to display it on your coffee table) and some nice art illuminating the insides as well. (as well as their usual goofy cartoons which are never as good as the New Yorker's but can occasionally be side-splittingly funny).

If you are unfamiliar with journals, you might think that The MR is a magazine about Missouri. This is not the case. The MR is a showcase for talented writers in a variety of fields from all across the US (and sometimes international authors as well). It is only called the Missouri Review because it is sponsored by the University of Missouri.

MR usually includes a number of well-crafted short stories, thought-provoking essays, poetry and interviews. In the most recent edition, they had fiction by Paul Eggers (no relation to David Eggers) and Steve Almond of "My Life in Heavy Metal" fame.

It also includes nonfiction: most recently an essay by Jeffrey Hammond on joining the now-politically incorrect "Indian Guides" an alternate to boy scouts, in the 1950's, and an essay composed of memories of rural life and how it creates a more immediate connection with food by Jeremy Jackson.

The latest issue also featured an interview with Jon Stewart (of Comedy Central fame) and fellow writers who contributed to America (The Book)

The MR often features a nod to literary giants. For example, previous issues have included the letters of Robert Lowell and unpublished short stories of William Gaddis.

If you enjoy reading, if you enjoy variety: a very nice mix literary traditional and contemporary smart/ hip writing, it would probably be worth your time to subscribe to Missouri Review. Leave it out on your coffee table.

Customer Rating:
Summary: middle of the road
Comment: The Missouri Review comes out three times a year. It's a literary magazine. I thought it might be tough to review, but really, it's not. It's not a great magazine (The Texas Review and The Hudson Review fill the same niche and are better), but it isn't the worst either (Boston Review, that's pretty bad, but it isn't quite in the same category). The fiction contained inside is pretty middle of the road--though they have published some great writers in the past, it's just the last couple of years... I've found the poetry to be atrocious most of the time. Their essays are what is pretty good. They have an intereview each issue, that goes up and down. Just depends on who is getting interviewed. There are just so many other magazines out there that fill the same niche and are better, I'd go with them. But the Missouri Review isn't that bad. I suppose it is worth surbscribing to at least once.