Books

Fiston Mwanza Mujila was born in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Books
Arts

An Exuberantly Dark First Novel Explores The Chaos Of Central Africa

3:34pm October 09, 2015

by John Powers

Fiston Mwanza Mujila's novel, Tram 83, is a freewheeling tale about life in an imaginary place inspired by the author's home country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Critic John Powers has a review.

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Arts

Sculptor Turns Rain, Ice And Trees Into 'Ephemeral Works'

12:07pm October 09, 2015

British artist Andy Goldsworthy's sculptures melt and decay. "It's not about art," he says. "It's just about life, and the need to understand that a lot of things in life do not last."

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Arts

In 'Gap Of Time,' Shakespeare Is Updated, But Not Upstaged

12:03pm October 09, 2015

by Annalisa Quinn

Jeanette Winterson's retelling of The Winter's Tale includes hedge fund managers and a New Orleans setting. But critic Annalisa Quinn says the book doesn't quite stand on its own.

Books
Arts

'Secret Chord' Sings A New Song About An Ancient Hero

7:03am October 09, 2015

by Jean Zimmerman

Geraldine Brooks' retelling of the biblical epic of King David casts him as larger than life — jester, predator, conqueror and poet. Critic Jean Zimmerman says Brooks "gives the whole king his due."

'Not In God's Name' Confronts Religious Violence With A 'Different Voice'

6:43pm October 08, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks about his new book, Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence.

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Investigative Journalist From Belarus Awarded Nobel Prize In Literature

6:43pm October 08, 2015

by Neda Ulaby

Investigative journalist Svetlana Alexievich was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize for Literature Thursday. She is the first writer from Belarus to win the prize.

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Belarusian journalist Svetlana Alexievich, during the ceremony for the German Book Trade Peace Prize, which she won in 2013.

Books
Arts

Belarusian Journalist Svetlana Alexievich Wins Literature Nobel

10:42am October 08, 2015

by Colin Dwyer

The investigative journalist is known for her in-depth exposes of the former Soviet Union, letting eyewitness accounts shed an unsettling light on tragedies.

Books
Arts

Plan 'B': How A Feminist Comic Book Found Devoted Fans Through Absurdity

10:03am October 08, 2015

by NPR Staff

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks with writer Kelly Sue DeConnick about her comic, Bitch Planet, about a dystopian future where being "noncompliant" in almost any way can land women on a prison planet.

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Books
Arts

These Three 'Judges' Are On The Hunt For Justice

10:03am October 08, 2015

by Juan Vidal

Three novellas by some of Italy's best crime writers make up Judges. Andrea Camilleri, Carlo Lucarelli and Giancarlo De Cataldo weave tales of idealistic judges fighting crime and corruption.

Books

Belarusian Journalist Wins Literature Nobel

9:18am October 08, 2015

by Lynn Neary

Journalist Svetlana Alexievich is known for her in-depth exposes of the former Soviet Union, letting eyewitness accounts shed an unsettling light on tragedies such as Chernobyl nuclear meltdown.

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