Arts

Books
Arts

Things Left Unspoken Haunt Hard-Hitting 'Dragonfish'

7:03am August 09, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

There are a few confessional speeches in Vu Tran's noirish debut novel, but what people write is more important than what they say: Anguished notes, letters and secret diary all drive the action.

Books
Arts

Novel Highlights The Shocks Facing First-Generation College Students

5:33pm August 08, 2015

by NPR Staff

Jennine Capó Crucet, author of Make Your Home Among Strangers, was inspired by her experiences as the daughter of Cuban immigrants and the first person in her family to attend college.

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Arts

Not My Job: Starlee Kine Gets Quizzed On Bugs Bunny

11:47am August 08, 2015

Kine is the host and creator of the Mystery Show podcast. We attempt to mystify her with three questions about the beloved cartoon character who debuted 75 years ago this week.

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Books
Arts

History Hijacks Life In 'All That Followed'

10:03am August 08, 2015

by Michael Schaub

Set in Spain's Basque Country, Gabriel Urza's new novel chronicles three lives in the aftermath of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. Critic Michael Schaub calls it "unsparing and beautiful."

Weaving is only the first step. From the weaver the hat passes through the hands of a series of artisans with Hemingway-esque titles: the rematador, the cortador, the apeleador and the planchador.

He's Just Woven The World's Finest Panama Hat. But Who Will Buy It?

7:03am August 08, 2015

by Roff Smith

We visit one of the last — and best — practitioners of this vanishing art. Like his predecessors, he lives in Ecuador, not Panama.

Books
Arts

Life Through The Lens Of A Falling 'Fishbowl'

7:03am August 08, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

Bradley Somer's new novel follows (literally) Ian the goldfish, who's catching glimpses of life and love in the apartments he passes as his bowl plummets from a 27th-floor balcony.

An image from Jon Stewart's first appearance as host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart's 'Daily Show' Legacy: Changing How Americans See Satire

5:37pm August 07, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Jon Stewart hosts his last episode of The Daily Show tonight, after 16 years as TV's satirist supreme. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says Stewart's barbs changed how people talk about politics and media.

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Hamilton, which opened Thursday on Broadway, is a play based on the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

Arts

A Hip-Hop Soundtrack For A Musical About Alexander Hamilton? Sure, Why Not?

5:35pm August 07, 2015

by Jeff Lunden

The new musical about the U.S.'s Founding Fathers — set to a mostly hip-hop score — that everyone's been talking about for months and months finally opens officially on Broadway Thursday night.

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Arts

Family Dysfunction Is Set To A Melancholic Beat In 'Ricki And The Flash'

3:07pm August 07, 2015

by David Edelstein

In Ricki and the Flash, Meryl Streep plays a singer who left her husband and kids decades ago to pursue her rock 'n roll dream. Reviewer David Edelstein says Streep "tears up the screen" in the film.

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Arts

Jon Stewart Makes A Laugh-Filled, Sentimental Exit From 'The Daily Show'

3:07pm August 07, 2015

by David Bianculli

After 16 years as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Jon Stewart presented his farewell program last night. TV critic David Bianculli says it was an entertaining finale from start to finish.

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