Arts & Life

Books
Arts

'The Essex Serpent' Spreads Its Wings

7:00am June 10, 2017

by Annalisa Quinn

Sarah Perry's historical novel is gloriously alive, teeming with bugs, moss and marsh, unconventional spirits and a darker undercurrent of fear about a legendary monster haunting the Essex coast.

Arts

'Beatriz at Dinner' And 'Megan Leavey' Celebrate Women Warriors

4:51pm June 09, 2017

by Bob Mondello

NPR movie critic Bob Mondello reviews two movies centered on women warriors — Beatriz at Dinner starring Salma Hayek, and Megan Leavey starring Kate Mara.

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Books
Arts

The Man Behind Wonder Woman Was Inspired By Both Suffragists And Centerfolds

2:05pm June 09, 2017

Wonder Woman's creator had a few secrets of his own. Historian Jill Lepore describes William Moulton Marstothe's unusual life in The Secret History of Wonder Woman. Originally broadcast Oct. 27, 2014.

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Arts

'Becoming Cary Grant' Reveals The Self-Invention Of A Hollywood Icon

2:05pm June 09, 2017

by John Powers

Mark Kidel's new Showtime documentary tells the story of the man behind the debonair star. Off screen, Grant was "lonely, insecure and haunted by fears of being abandoned," says critic John Powers.

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Arts

'My Cousin Rachel' Spins A 19th-Century Melodrama About A Mysterious Young Widow

1:58pm June 09, 2017

by David Edelstein

Rachel Weisz plays a widow who might have designs on her cousin's fortune in a new adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's 1951 novel. Critic David Edelstein says the film will keep viewers in suspense.

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Glen Weldon, Mallory Ortberg, Stephen Thompson, and Linda Holmes on stage at the Marines' Memorial Theatre in San Francisco, CA on Friday, October 21st.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: When To Break Up With Culture And Advice With Mallory Ortberg

10:07am June 09, 2017

by Linda Holmes

This week's show combines two segments from our tour a few months ago, and they're both corkers. We talk to Audie Cornish about hanging in with culture, and Mallory Ortberg gives advice.

In his new special, Klepper tries to focus on activists who are working to reduce gun violence.

Arts

Comic Jordan Klepper On His New Gun Documentary And Leaving 'The Daily Show'

9:57am June 09, 2017

by Sam Sanders

In Jordan Klepper Solves Guns, the comedian dives into America's relationship with firearms. Klepper is also launching his own nightly show on Comedy Central this fall.

"Racial impostor syndrome" is definitely a thing for many people. We hear from biracial and multi-ethnic listeners who connect with feeling "fake" or inauthentic in some part of their racial or ethnic heritage.

'Racial Impostor Syndrome': Here Are Your Stories

5:26pm June 08, 2017

by Leah Donnella

We got more than 100 letters from our listeners about how y'all feel like fakes. Here are some of our favorites.

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Beatriz (Salma Hayek) and Alex (Jay Duplass) in Beatriz at Dinner.

Arts

'Beatriz At Dinner' Skewers A House Full Of Well-Off Guests

5:00pm June 08, 2017

by Ella Taylor

Director Miguel Arteta and screenwriter Mike White collaborate on a film featuring Salma Hayek as a healer who finds herself at a very uncomfortable meal.

Favorite Ramadan drinks vary by country. In Jordan and Lebanon, tamer hindi, a tamarind-based beverage (seen above), is often offered alongside qamar al-deen, a thick apricot nectar.

All Over The World, Thirsty Muslims Have Their Ramadan Go-To Drinks

4:41pm June 08, 2017

by Amy E. Robertson

After a long day of fasting, especially in summer, thirst can be stronger than hunger. The drinks of choice are usually sweet and fruity, but each country puts its own spin on a refreshing beverage.