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A Compelling Plot Gives Way To Farce In Franzen's Purity

7:04pm September 02, 2015

by Roxane Gay

The new novel reveals sharp observations and a great, sprawling story. But critic Roxane Gay says the book gets bogged down with absurdly drawn characters and misfired critiques of modern life.

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'Twelve Kings' Launches A Bold New Fantasy World

5:25pm September 02, 2015

by Jason Heller

Twelve immortal, iron-fisted god-kings rule over the desert metropolis of Sharakhai. No one can stand against them, until the gladiator Çeda begins hunting for the truth behind her mother's death.

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Franzen's Latest Novel: An Ambitious But Tarnished 'Purity'

3:20pm September 02, 2015

by Maureen Corrigan

Jonathan Franzen weaves together a cavalcade of stories and characters in his latest novel. Critic Maureen Corrigan says that despite its breadth, Purity fails to "emotionally move the reader."

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As different as their backgrounds were, and even their approaches to judging, when it came to women's rights, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (left) and Sandra Day O'Connor were allies.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg And Sandra Day O'Connor, 'Sisters In Law'

11:17am September 02, 2015

by Nina Totenberg

A new book explains that the women were not personal friends, but they were strong allies on the Supreme Court bench, especially in the legal fight for women's equality.

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'The Shepherd's Crown' Tells Terry Pratchett Fans How To Mourn Him

11:11am September 02, 2015

by Tasha Robinson

The fantasy author's last novel opens with the death of one of his most beloved characters and serves as an illustration of his thoughts on his own impending death and the inevitability of change.

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Novelist Amy Stewart Turns 1914 Traffic Accident Into 'Girl Waits With Gun'

8:03pm September 01, 2015

Steve Inskeep talks to Amy Stewart about her novel Girl Waits With Gun. It's based on the story of a woman who went on to become one of the first female deputy sheriffs in early 20th century America.

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In New Neapolitan Novel, Fans Seek Clues About Mysterious Author's Past

6:25pm September 01, 2015

by Christopher Livesay

Elena Ferrante is the pen name of an anonymous Italian author. Very little is known about her, but Ferrante's books — widely believed to be a thinly veiled autobiography — have achieved cult status.

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Jonathan Franzen is also the author of Freedom and the essay collection How To Be Alone.

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Jonathan Franzen On Writing: It's An 'Escape From Everything'

5:44pm September 01, 2015

The author of The Corrections and the new novel Purity likens writing to losing himself in a dream. "When it's really going well ... you're in a fantasy land and feeling no pain," he says.

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Truth Is Strange And Fiction Is Charming In 'Girl Waits With Gun'

7:04am September 01, 2015

by Genevieve Valentine

Amy Stewart's new novel is inspired by the real-life tale of the Kopp sisters, three women who faced down a cruel factory owner after he crashed into their buggy and refused to pay restitution.

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Ursula K. Le Guin Steers Her Craft Into A New Century

7:55pm August 31, 2015

by NPR Staff

The famed novelist says that at 85 she no longer has the energy to write another book, but she's just released a revised and updated edition of her manual for aspiring writers, Steering the Craft.

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