The French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, was presented with a Freedom on Expression award from the PEN American Center this week. Six high-profile writers boycotted the awards ceremony at PEN's big annual gala. Hundreds more protested, while others gave the magazine's editors a standing ovation. The chariman of the PEN World Voices Festival is Colm Toibin, the celebrated Irish novelist. Toibin shares his thoughs on the controversy.
Intelligent. Optimistic. Curious.
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Novelist Jane Hamilton talks with Steve Paulson about the role of nostalgia in literary fiction.
How did religion ever get started in the first place? We talked to renowned sociologist Robert Bellah shortly before he died. He said religion isn't about belief in God. Its origins go back to the rituals of our ancient ancestors, and ultimately to play.
The question isn't "seen any good movies lately?" but instead "experienced any good paratexts lately?"
Mark Dowie tells Steve Paulson about a recent confrontation between a Masai leader and several thousand environmentalists gathered for a conference.
Mike Greenberg is a self-described metrosexual who cares a lot about his appearance and lifestyle.
Jill Sprecher is an optimist while her sister Karen is a pessimist. Or is it the other way around? Jill directed “Thirteen Conversations About One Thing” while Karen wrote the screenplay.
Cartoonist Jules Feiffer started on his path to fame in the 1950s with a cartoon strip for "The Village Voice" that eventually won him a Pulitzer Prize.
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