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Fresh Air Weekend: Novelist Zadie Smith; Comic Maria Bamford

"History is something we participate in together," says author Zadie Smith. "We are all involved in history, and all have something to gain from understanding what happened – exactly what happened." Her new novel, <em>The Fraud, </em>is based on real events.
Ben Bailey-Smith
/
Penguin Random House
"History is something we participate in together," says author Zadie Smith. "We are all involved in history, and all have something to gain from understanding what happened – exactly what happened." Her new novel, The Fraud, is based on real events.

Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

In 'The Fraud,' Zadie Smith seeks to 'do absolute justice to the truth': The historical fiction novel centers on a real-life Victorian Era trial. Smith says she doesn't look back on the past with a sense of superiority: In her view, human life is "a continued struggle."

Part fairy tale, part horror, 'The Changeling' is a drama that mostly satisfies: LaKeith Stanfield plays a young man who achieves his dreams and goals — only to have them descend into nightmares. While the ending of this Apple TV+ series underwlems, the acting keeps you watching.

Comic Maria Bamford is down to 'Join Your Cult': Bamford has been part of five different 12-step programs, including groups for overeaters and sex and love addicts. In her new memoir, she jokes about anxiety, depression and the desire to fit in.

You can listen to the original interviews and review here:

In 'The Fraud,' Zadie Smith seeks to 'do absolute justice to the truth'

Part fairy tale, part horror, 'The Changeling' is a drama that mostly satisfies

Comic Maria Bamford is down to 'Join Your Cult'

Copyright 2023 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.