Ah, to be young

Keith Gessen's sad young men -- interns, editorial assistants, doctoral candidates, would-be novelists -- are an apprentice generation among New York's intellectual/literary circles. They spiral out of college spouting "The truth shall make you free" (Jesus), while parading their burn-out with "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose" (Kris Kristofferson).

By Richard Eder

April 13, 2008