Oct 23rd, 2006 · When a student showed Alice McDermott a discarded library copy of Katherine Anne Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider, stamped "Low Demand," McDermott felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. The title novella in this collection, McDermott says, exhibits "intelligence, wit, heartache, profundity and marvelous prose."
Aug 3rd, 2006 · Victor Lavalle, the author of slapboxing with jesus, says Kenzaburo Oe's novella "Prize Stock" explores themes of racism and brutality while avoiding simplistic escapes: "It's not a story about right or wrong, democracy versus anarchy, and you can't pick out the good guys."
May 19th, 2006 · Nigerian-born novelist Chris Abani stunned critics with his debut novel Graceland. His follow-up novella tackles questions of identity and nationality -- this time, from a female perspective.
Oct 29th, 2005 · Two decades after the death of writer Truman Capote, a new manuscript has come to light. Capote wrote the novella Summer Crossing in 1943. Capote's literary executor, Alan Schwartz, tells Debbie Elliott how the work was uncovered.
Oct 21st, 2005 · Actor and writer Steve Martin's novella Shopgirl is now a new film -- he wrote the screenplay and stars in it as well. It's the latest turn for the comedian who also pens plays and novels.
Jul 13th, 2005 · Day to Day literary editor Karen Grigsby bates talks with David Gregory Smith, author of the surprise hit book Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering -- a novella about a workaholic who gets an invitation to have dinner with Jesus Christ himself.
Nov 9th, 2004 · Fables, fairy tales and novellas can do more than just entertain and delight. They also ease young people through some of life's challenges. NPR's Michele Norris asks three experts in children's literature to share their recommended reading lists.
Oct 17th, 2004 · The Booker Prize will be announced this coming Tuesday. One of the leading contenders is David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas. With an experimental structure that incorporates six novellas, the question is whether this is a stunt or a true literary breakthrough. Martha Woodroof of member station WMRA reports.