Two cousins, devastated by a childhood prank, reunite 20 years later to renovate a castle in Eastern Europe. The fortress has a bloody history that stretches back hundreds of years. Amid extreme paranoia and eerie silence, the men reenact the signal event of their youth, with even more catastrophic results.

There are five articles in this edition: "Follow the Leaders", by Hendrik Hertzberg; "A Death in the Forest", by Richard Preston; "The Checklist", by Atul Gawande; "Found Objects", by Jennifer Egan; and "Conflicting Stories", by Anthony Lane.

Karen Joy Fowler, author of the best-selling The Jane Austen Book Club, joins other Austen enthusiasts including novelists Siri Hustvedt and Jennifer Egan to celebrate the work of one of English literature's best-loved authors. In connection with Penguin Classics' 60th Anniversary release of Jane Austen: The Complete Novels: Classic Deluxe Edition, this lively discussion will span the vivid characters, biting satire, and delicious romance of Austen's six novels. Selections read by Hope Davis.