Canada may have gotten the jump on the David Bezmozgis media feeding frenzy, but ripples are now starting to form south of the border as well. The Toronto-raised writer’s debut book, Natasha and Other Stories, is reviewed in the most recent New York Times book section. “This is rich material, but it would be more powerful if Bezmozgis’ style were more developed,” writes Meghan O’Rourke in a mixed but largely positive assessment, before concluding that “it’s refreshing to encounter a generous, witty account of boyhood that doesn’t rely on overwrought lyricism.”

Bezmozgis isn’t going to be too thrilled, if his reaction to Q&Q‘s own mixed but largely positive review of the book is any indication. “You guys savaged me,” he said in an encounter at BookExpo America in Chicago. Readers are invited to judge the “savagery” of the review in question by linking to it below.

The Atlantic Monthly also gets in on the D-Bez action — the magazine’s website has a long Q&A with the young author about the genesis of the book, his place in the literary world, and his interest in film.

Related links:
New York Times review of Natasha
Atlantic Monthly interview with Bezmozgis
Q&Q review of Natasha
Q&Q cover profile of Bezmozgis