Arts & Life

Arts

'Fargo' Returns, With An Oddball Style Reminiscent Of 'Twin Peaks'

1:19pm October 12, 2015

by David Bianculli

The FX-drama series Fargo begins its second season Monday with a new story and cast. TV critic David Bianculli says the new season is full of charm, and "ridiculously loaded" with great performances.

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Books
Arts

'Mothers' Tells Stories Too Often Silenced

6:41am October 11, 2015

by Jane Ciabattari

Bonnie Jo Campbell's confessional, unforgettable new story collection gives a voice to mothers and daughters, struggling to get by, desperate to be heard, but despairing of an audience.

Carol Burnett Visits <em>The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon</em> at Rockefeller Center on Oct. 6, 2014.

Arts

Not My Job: Comedian Carol Burnett Gets Quizzed On Cougars (The Cats, Of Course)

11:17am October 10, 2015

In the 1970s, families would sit down together every Saturday to watch The Carol Burnett Show. The first five seasons of the legendary variety show are now out on DVD.

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Poet Ted Hughes met Sylvia Plath 1956. "They were both geniuses, says biographer Jonathan Bate. Hughes is shown above on the first day of trout fishing season in April 1986.

Books
Arts

Sylvia Plath's Husband, Ted Hughes, Lived A Life Of Poetry And Tragedy

10:28am October 10, 2015

by NPR Staff

Biographer Jonathan Bate says his job is to write about "the quality and endurance of the literary work." His new biography has been disavowed by the Hughes estate.

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Books
Arts

'Silver On The Road' Is A Pure American Myth

10:03am October 10, 2015

by Jason Sheehan

Laura Anne Gilman creates an authentically spooky Old West in her novel, where it seems perfectly reasonable that the Devil might wear a sharp suit, run a saloon, and always stay true to his bargains.

The Witch of Lime Street, by David Jaher.

Books
Arts

'Lime Street' Bewitches With Mystery And Mayhem

7:03am October 10, 2015

by Genevieve Valentine

David Jaher's account of Harry Houdini attempt to debunk Boston society psychic Mina Crandon mixes history with high-wire theatricality — even though most readers will know who came out on top.

Time To Pursue The Pawpaw, America's Fleeting Fall Fruit

6:53am October 10, 2015

by Dan Charles

Ever seen a pawpaw in the supermarket? Didn't think so. Ohioan Chris Chmiel wants to change that by growing and promoting this seasonal, mango-like fruit that's native to the U.S.

The tension in Steve Jobs comes partly from the terrific performances and partly from juxtaposing Jobs' public and private personas. Michael Fassbender (left) portrays Jobs; he's shown here with Seth Rogen, as Steve Wozniak.

Arts

'Steve Jobs': As Ambitious As Its Title Character

12:49am October 10, 2015

by Bob Mondello

Danny Boyle's new biopic, Steve Jobs, is a look at the man who made Apple mean computers, not fruit. NPR film critic Bob Mondello says it's an invigorating story told in three acts of crisis.

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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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A 12-year-old Peter (Levi Miller), with the help of the warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara), must defeat the pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) in Pan.

Arts

'Pan' Asks The Odd Question: What Happened Before The Fun Started?

3:22pm October 09, 2015

by Scott Tobias

Do you really need to know what happened to Peter Pan before his life became magical? Pan suggests the answer is, "Not really."