Arts & Life

Books
Arts

Folklore For Hipsters: Fairy Tales Before They Were Cool

6:16am February 07, 2016

by Genevieve Valentine

Translated from Giambattista Basile's 17th century stories, Tale of Tales — known as the world's first collection of fairy tales — traverses through 50 fantastical adventures.

Lena Headey at the "300: Rise Of An Empire" Press Conference on March 4, 2014 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Arts

Not My Job: We Quiz Lena Headey On Games Worse Than 'Game Of Thrones'

11:25am February 06, 2016

Game of Thrones may have killed off many major characters, but the manipulative, scheming Queen Cersei is still standing. We've invited Headey to play a game called "You win and you die."

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Books
Arts

Man Booker Prize Awardee Recasts Complex 'Merchant of Venice' Character

8:28am February 06, 2016

In "Shylock Is My Name," Howard Jacobson re-imagines one of Shakespeare's most thought-provoking characters. Scott Simon asks Jacobson about it.

Books
Arts

Weekend Edition's Scott Simon Will Take A Leave Of Absence

8:28am February 06, 2016

Scott Simon announces a leave of absence to collaborate on a book with Tony Bennett.

The work of Saudi artist Njoud Alanbari focuses on issues surrounding female education.

A New Generation Of Saudi Artists Pushes The Boundaries

8:28am February 06, 2016

by Deborah Amos

Daring visual artists, whose edgy work challenges religious and political taboos, have become a critical voice in the conservative kingdom — where open calls for reform are a criminal offense.

Times Have Changed; What Should We Call 'Old People' ?

8:28am February 06, 2016

NPR's Ina Jaffe talks with Scott Simon about the struggle to find the right words to describe older people. Longevity and lifestyles have changed and the language hasn't kept up.

Books
Arts

Profane And Pornographic, Irvine Welsh's Latest Plumbs A New Kind Of Emptiness

7:00am February 06, 2016

by Jason Heller

A Decent Ride brings back many of Welsh's beloved characters with their ribald humor and Scottish vernacular, but now they must address a new challenge: aging.

Beer And Snack Pairings: A Super Bowl Game Everyone Can Win

7:01pm February 05, 2016

Which beer goes with guacamole? How can a brew complement spicy wings? Two craft beer experts share their favorite pairings and help us take our Super Bowl snack game to the next level.

The latest Mattel Barbie dolls created to increase representation and diversity.

Roundup: Here's What People Are Saying About Barbie's Diversity Makeover

6:52pm February 05, 2016

by Hanna Choi

Mattel is rethinking how the Barbie brand could represent women of all colors, shapes and sizes. Some are buying it. Others, not so much.

Jacir Eid plays the title character in Theed. Director Naji Abu Nowar says, "You put him in front of a camera and he just lit up the screen."

Arts

'Theeb' Looks At Middle East History Through The Eyes Of A Bedouin Boy

6:51pm February 05, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Oscar-nominated film is set in 1916 Saudi Arabia, a pivotal time in the region. Director Naji Abu Nowar says he wanted to explore "how strange and surreal it must have been" for the Bedouins.

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