Arts

Books
Arts

Faber's 'Strange New Things' Is A Tribute To His Wife

10:04am November 02, 2014

Michel Faber talks about how he came to write his new novel, The Book of Strange New Things. It's the story of a husband and wife, separated by a huge distance. They're on different planets.

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Books
Arts

An Ambivalent Double Agent, Torn Between Two Countries

8:10pm November 01, 2014

by NPR Staff

Ha Jin's new spy novel resembles the story of the real-life Chinese agent Larry Chin — and echoes the expat author's own experiences. But, he notes, a writer's life is less political than a spy's.

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More than 65 percent of first marriages today are between couples already living together. For millennials, cohabitation is almost a rite of passage.

Arts

Millennials Navigate The Ups And Downs Of Cohabitation

6:24pm November 01, 2014

by Connor Donevan

Millennials are more likely to live with the person they're dating than previous generations were — it's practically a rite of passage. So what does that means for their relationships?

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Adam Driver starred in Tracks, This Is Where I Leave You and What If — all out this year. He says there are surprising similarities between two of his other biggest roles, on HBO's Girls and in the new Star Wars film. "If you think about breaking it dow

Arts

Actor's Calendar: 'Girls,' 'Star Wars,' Taking Theater To The Military

6:24pm November 01, 2014

by NPR Staff

Adam Driver is famous for his role in HBO's Girls and his major (and mysterious) part in the next Star Wars film. Less famous: The former Marine's nonprofit organization, Arts in the Armed Forces.

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Arts

'Ciao, Carpaccio!' Painter's Reputation No Longer Sliced Thin

2:25pm November 01, 2014

Jan Morris's new book is an ode to Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio. Yes, the thinly sliced meat is named after him. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Morris about her life, work and favorite painter.

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Children from the audience come on stage to dance with Hello Kitty and celebrate her 40th birthday at Sanrio Puroland theme park in Tokyo Saturday.

Arts

40 Is The New Cute: Hello Kitty Celebrates Birthday

1:13pm November 01, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The milestone inspired a Hello Kitty Con in Los Angeles this week. But the largest fete was in Tokyo, where parent company Sanrio put on a parade and other events.

Daniel Radcliffe attends The Laurence Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House in April 28, 2013 in London.

Arts

Not My Job: Actor Daniel Radcliffe Gets Quizzed On Chia Pets

11:55am November 01, 2014

We ask the man who spent a decade playing Harry Potter three questions about hairy pottery.

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Books
Arts

William Gibson Skypes The Future In 'The Peripheral'

10:03am November 01, 2014

by Jason Sheehan

The master of cyberpunk returns to form with a new novel set in his old stomping grounds — the near future. Reviewer Jason Sheehan says it sings with controlled, dark energy and effortless grace.

Books
Arts

A Century Of Black Glamour In This Fine 'Vintage'

5:23am November 01, 2014

by Richard Torres

Nichelle Gainer's new Vintage Black Glamour, based on the popular Tumblr, collects a wealth of historical and biographical information — alongside gorgeous imagery — on great black entertainers.

Frances McDormand plays Olive Kitteridge in the four-hour HBO miniseries adapted from Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning book of short stories.

Arts

Like Olive Kitteridge, Actress Frances McDormand Was Tired Of Supporting Roles

7:41pm October 31, 2014

by NPR Staff

"I've made a career of playing small supporting roles," McDormand says. And in a four-hour HBO miniseries she plays Kitteridge, a supporting character who "should be a leading lady."

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