In today's podcast we take a deep dive into Dwyer Murphy's moody neo-noir crime novel 'An Honest Living'. The story revolves around a disillusioned Manhattan lawyer turned investigator, hired by a masquerading woman and later, the real wife - an enigmatic novelist. Drawing inspirations from Roman Polanski's 1974 film 'Chinatown', the novel is set in mid-aughts New York and takes us through the murkiness of the antiquarian book world and the complex world of development rights. Listen to our review and discover the dazzling portrait of New York as Murphy presents it.

This podcast delves into the captivating life of Josephine Baker, tracing her journey from a poverty-stricken childhood to becoming an international sensation. It particularly examines claims about Baker's involvement in espionage during World War II. The beloved entertainer's complex personality, her acts of resistance, and the unique solidarity with pets will captivate listeners. However, our host also seeks to understand Baker beyond the prevailing narrative, exploring nuances about her life, motivations, and the societal dynamics of hatred and love she resided in.

Audio formatted version of the New York Times Book Review, weekly.

Audio formatted version of the New York Times Book Review, weekly.

This episode features a review of Ingrid Rojas Contreras' memoir, 'The Man Who Could Move Clouds', an engaging and sometimes supernatural exploration into her family's past, and their intimate connection with Colombia's tumultuous history. The narrative celebrates extraordinary stories within an everyday family, exposing the often missed magic in oral history. The narrative transparently addresses aspects of violence, machismo, and colonialism, while painting a mesmerizing picture of a family's relationship with the spectral world. This episode offers not just a book review but a discussion about the power of ancestral memory and cultural heritage.

Audio formatted version of the New York Times Book Review, weekly.

In this New York Times Book Review podcast, we delve into Sally Denton's striking analysis of male supremacy in religious creeds, as she articulates in 'The Colony'. We further explore Catherine J. Chen's beautifully adventurous reimagination of Joan of Arc, an abused child turned avenging warrior, in her new novel. The discussion touches upon these women's narratives as a testament of resistance and survival against patriarchal norms and expectations.

In this episode of the New York Times Book Review, we delve into Halek Kick Kochansky's 'Resistance, the Underground War Against Hitler, 1939-1945.' We explore the vastly different experiences of continental Europeans during World War II, the moral choices encountered under foreign occupation and how these still influence our politics today. By examining resistance across the continent, the podcast gives an in-depth account of the courage, cruelty and the enormous cost to the people. It further touches on how the resistance movements shaped post-war politics and how the decisions made during the war continue to echo in world politics.

Audio formatted version of the New York Times Book Review, weekly.

Audio formatted version of the New York Times Book Review, weekly.