NPR People: Alan Cheuse http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101701&ft=1&f=2101701 Alan Cheuse is the author of three novels, two collections of short fiction, and the nonfictional Fall Out of Heaven. As a book commentator, Cheuse is a regular contributor to NPR?s All Things Considered. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:15:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Alan Cheuse http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101701&ft=1&f=2101701 yes Alan Cheuse's Book Picks To Warm A Winter's Night Book reviewer Alan Cheuse selects the highlights of this holiday season: futuristic dystopias; things that go bump in the night; portraits from Norman Rockwell's America; gay New York; a celebration of our immigrant adventures; one writer's journey to manhood; and, of course, Long John Silver. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:15:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539406&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120539406&ft=1&f=2101701 Book reviewer Alan Cheuse selects the highlights of this holiday season: futuristic dystopias; things that go bump in the night; portraits from Norman Rockwell's America; gay New York; a celebration of our immigrant adventures; one writer's journey to manhood; and, of course, Long John Silver. no Book reviewer Alan Cheuse selects the highlights of this holiday season: futuristic dystopias; things that go bump in the night; portraits from Norman Rockwell's America; gay New York; a celebration of our immigrant adventures; one writer's journey to manhood; and, of course, Long John Silver.

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]]> Review: 'Good For The Jews' The Jewish holiday of Purim arises from a story of Jews in ancient Persia, as told in the biblical Book of Esther. Now, novelist Debra Spark draws on the same story for her latest novel, <em>Good for the Jews.</em> And it's set not in ancient Persia &mdash; but in Madison, Wis. The novel won this year's Literary Fiction award from the University of Michigan Press. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120287937&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120287937&ft=1&f=2101701 The Jewish holiday of Purim arises from a story of Jews in ancient Persia, as told in the biblical Book of Esther. Now, novelist Debra Spark draws on the same story for her latest novel, <em>Good for the Jews.</em> And it's set not in ancient Persia &mdash; but in Madison, Wis. The novel won this year's Literary Fiction award from the University of Michigan Press. 150 no The Jewish holiday of Purim arises from a story of Jews in ancient Persia, as told in the biblical Book of Esther. Now, novelist Debra Spark draws on the same story for her latest novel, Good for the Jews. And it's set not in ancient Persia — but in Madison, Wis. The novel won this year's Literary Fiction award from the University of Michigan Press.

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]]> Naguib Mahfouz's Book Of Dreams The late Egyptian Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz spent six years toward the end of his life publishing vignettes based on his dreams. Now collected in a new paperback, <em>The Dreams</em>, these several hundred dreams are a surprise. Mahfouz packs each of these pieces with resonant details, and plays with opposites in time and location before rapidly moving to a poignant but questioning denouement. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114215616&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114215616&ft=1&f=2101701 The late Egyptian Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz spent six years toward the end of his life publishing vignettes based on his dreams. Now collected in a new paperback, <em>The Dreams</em>, these several hundred dreams are a surprise. Mahfouz packs each of these pieces with resonant details, and plays with opposites in time and location before rapidly moving to a poignant but questioning denouement. 121 no The late Egyptian Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz spent six years toward the end of his life publishing vignettes based on his dreams. Now collected in a new paperback, The Dreams, these several hundred dreams are a surprise. Mahfouz packs each of these pieces with resonant details, and plays with opposites in time and location before rapidly moving to a poignant but questioning denouement.

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]]> Debut Novel Explores Life Of Black Cavalryman The Civil War is one of the most examined events in U.S. History, but Shelton Johnson's debut novel, <em>Gloryland</em>, goes over some fairly unexplored territory: the ordinary life of a black cavalryman. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114019545&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114019545&ft=1&f=2101701 The Civil War is one of the most examined events in U.S. History, but Shelton Johnson's debut novel, <em>Gloryland</em>, goes over some fairly unexplored territory: the ordinary life of a black cavalryman. 104 no The Civil War is one of the most examined events in U.S. History, but Shelton Johnson's debut novel, Gloryland, goes over some fairly unexplored territory: the ordinary life of a black cavalryman.

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]]> Ralph Nader's New Project: Novels Crusading social critic Ralph Nader has ventured into new territory &mdash; the writing of novels. He has just published a 700-page work of fiction called <em>Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us.</em> Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113735479&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113735479&ft=1&f=2101701 Crusading social critic Ralph Nader has ventured into new territory &mdash; the writing of novels. He has just published a 700-page work of fiction called <em>Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us.</em> 124 no Crusading social critic Ralph Nader has ventured into new territory — the writing of novels. He has just published a 700-page work of fiction called Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us.

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]]> Joyce Carol Oates Shines With New Novel <em>Little Bird of Heaven,</em> Joyce Carol Oates' 37th novel, is an American writer's communion with <em>Crime and Punishment</em>. But neither crime nor punishment serves as a triumph and a release on a scale &mdash; and with the intensity &mdash; we have come to expect from one of our premier writers. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:41:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113316266&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113316266&ft=1&f=2101701 <em>Little Bird of Heaven,</em> Joyce Carol Oates' 37th novel, is an American writer's communion with <em>Crime and Punishment</em>. But neither crime nor punishment serves as a triumph and a release on a scale &mdash; and with the intensity &mdash; we have come to expect from one of our premier writers. 131 no Little Bird of Heaven, Joyce Carol Oates' 37th novel, is an American writer's communion with Crime and Punishment. But neither crime nor punishment serves as a triumph and a release on a scale — and with the intensity — we have come to expect from one of our premier writers.

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]]> Tales Of Michigan Full Of Despair, Life In her new short-story collection, <em>American Salvage</em>, Bonnie Jo Campbell looks at working-class life in Michigan. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says both roughness and beauty can be found in Campbell's stories about cold, meth-drenched small towns. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112651628&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112651628&ft=1&f=2101701 In her new short-story collection, <em>American Salvage</em>, Bonnie Jo Campbell looks at working-class life in Michigan. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says both roughness and beauty can be found in Campbell's stories about cold, meth-drenched small towns. 135 no In her new short-story collection, American Salvage, Bonnie Jo Campbell looks at working-class life in Michigan. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says both roughness and beauty can be found in Campbell's stories about cold, meth-drenched small towns.

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]]> 'Glass' Chronicles Mexican Immigrants Poet Jimmy Santiago Baca has produced his first novel, <em>A Glass of Water</em>. The book goes over the well-worn path of Mexican immigrants to the United States. Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112075092&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112075092&ft=1&f=2101701 Poet Jimmy Santiago Baca has produced his first novel, <em>A Glass of Water</em>. The book goes over the well-worn path of Mexican immigrants to the United States. 134 no Poet Jimmy Santiago Baca has produced his first novel, A Glass of Water. The book goes over the well-worn path of Mexican immigrants to the United States.

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]]> A Couple Of Midsummer Thrillers The days are still warm, and if we're lucky, we have some time on our hands and in our minds &mdash; and a taste for reading a good new thriller. Our reviewer Alan Cheuse has two recommendations. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111855831&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111855831&ft=1&f=2101701 The days are still warm, and if we're lucky, we have some time on our hands and in our minds &mdash; and a taste for reading a good new thriller. Our reviewer Alan Cheuse has two recommendations. 139 no The days are still warm, and if we're lucky, we have some time on our hands and in our minds — and a taste for reading a good new thriller. Our reviewer Alan Cheuse has two recommendations.

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]]> Novels On New York In The '70s New York City in the 1970s was a time of hope and cheap rent. Valerie Martin, in her new novel, <em>The Confessions of Edward Day</em> narrows the focus even more: to young aspiring actors beginning to make their way in the theater of the time. Alan Cheuse calls the book "a credible faux memoir." Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111672586&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111672586&ft=1&f=2101701 New York City in the 1970s was a time of hope and cheap rent. Valerie Martin, in her new novel, <em>The Confessions of Edward Day</em> narrows the focus even more: to young aspiring actors beginning to make their way in the theater of the time. Alan Cheuse calls the book "a credible faux memoir." 144 no New York City in the 1970s was a time of hope and cheap rent. Valerie Martin, in her new novel, The Confessions of Edward Day narrows the focus even more: to young aspiring actors beginning to make their way in the theater of the time. Alan Cheuse calls the book "a credible faux memoir."

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]]> Pynchon's New Novel Dark, Delicious Thomas Pynchon's new book, <em>Inherent Vice</em> is a deliciously composed dark comedy. The story of the abduction of a millionaire developer and the stone hippie private eye who goes in search of him is charming and pleasing. Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111341696&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111341696&ft=1&f=2101701 Thomas Pynchon's new book, <em>Inherent Vice</em> is a deliciously composed dark comedy. The story of the abduction of a millionaire developer and the stone hippie private eye who goes in search of him is charming and pleasing. 137 no Thomas Pynchon's new book, Inherent Vice is a deliciously composed dark comedy. The story of the abduction of a millionaire developer and the stone hippie private eye who goes in search of him is charming and pleasing.

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]]> In New Novel, Phillips Subtly Tackles Big Themes Novelist Arthur Phillips' new book <em>The Song is You</em> is about one of the great obsessions in contemporary American literature. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says Phillips is a subtle writer who deals quietly with big themes such as illusions versus reality. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106747496&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106747496&ft=1&f=2101701 Novelist Arthur Phillips' new book <em>The Song is You</em> is about one of the great obsessions in contemporary American literature. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says Phillips is a subtle writer who deals quietly with big themes such as illusions versus reality. 135 no Novelist Arthur Phillips' new book The Song is You is about one of the great obsessions in contemporary American literature. Reviewer Alan Cheuse says Phillips is a subtle writer who deals quietly with big themes such as illusions versus reality.

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]]> Russian Writer Vasily Aksyonov Remembered Book reviewer Alan Cheuse remembers Russian author Vasily Pavlovich Aksyonov, who died earlier this week. Aksyonov is known in the West as the author of <em>Generations of Winter</em>, a family saga depicting three generations of the Gradov family between 1925 and 1953. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106397673&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106397673&ft=1&f=2101701 Book reviewer Alan Cheuse remembers Russian author Vasily Pavlovich Aksyonov, who died earlier this week. Aksyonov is known in the West as the author of <em>Generations of Winter</em>, a family saga depicting three generations of the Gradov family between 1925 and 1953. 0 no Book reviewer Alan Cheuse remembers Russian author Vasily Pavlovich Aksyonov, who died earlier this week. Aksyonov is known in the West as the author of Generations of Winter, a family saga depicting three generations of the Gradov family between 1925 and 1953.

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]]> Booker Winner Adiga's New Short Stories Writer Aravind Adiga won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his novel <em>The White Tiger.</em> Now, he has a book of 14 short stories set between the assassinations of two Indian leaders &mdash; one in 1984 and the other in 1991. Alan Cheuse says that in <em>Between the Assassinations</em>, Adiga reveals great breadth and depth in the hearts of his characters. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106114377&ft=1&f=2101701 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106114377&ft=1&f=2101701 Writer Aravind Adiga won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his novel <em>The White Tiger.</em> Now, he has a book of 14 short stories set between the assassinations of two Indian leaders &mdash; one in 1984 and the other in 1991. Alan Cheuse says that in <em>Between the Assassinations</em>, Adiga reveals great breadth and depth in the hearts of his characters. 146 no Writer Aravind Adiga won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his novel The White Tiger. Now, he has a book of 14 short stories set between the assassinations of two Indian leaders — one in 1984 and the other in 1991. Alan Cheuse says that in Between the Assassinations, Adiga reveals great breadth and depth in the hearts of his characters.

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