Ghost Writing
In an excerpt from her posthumously published book, Hilary Mantel reveals how she channelled Thomas Cromwell to write her “Wolf Hall” trilogy
A Furshlugginer Great Boss
The life of William M. Gaines, Mad magazine’s unmistakable publisher, was as large as the man himself
Paul Feig Knows a Good Martini
The filmmaker behind Freaks and Geeks and Bridesmaids has re-invented himself as a cocktail connoisseur with a viral pandemic-drink-tutorial series, his own brand of gin, and, now, a book
Luke Millington-Drake
While the British actor is best known for his Keira Knightley parodies on TikTok, his TV career is taking off
The Return of Flaming June
Once derided as an eyesore, Victorian painting is roaring back on both sides of the Atlantic
It’s a Smaller World
Those we lost in 2022—a special Disney remembrance
Lighter than Air
Albert Lamorisse’s 1956 short, “The Red Balloon,” is high art for all ages
Paul Feig Raises a Glass to 2023
The comedy mastermind stops by Morning Meeting this week to discuss the art of mixology
A Bigger Splash
More than 300 images, from paintings to oceanographic maps, collected in a new coffee-table book, provide a multifaceted look at oceans and the marine world
Reality Check
A lunch with Andy Cohen leads to revelations about James Corden, the late-night-television orthodoxy, and much more in our new podcast, Table for Two with Bruce Bozzi
Step-Mama’s Boy
Verdi’s season-opening Don Carlo from the Teatro San Carlo, Naples
Vroom, Vroom!
What’s not to love about gas? Hint: almost everything
Jess Walter’s Rules for Writing
Eight Questions with the author, who discusses inspiration, his process, and the moment he realized Obama was a fan
Murder, They Wrote
This month’s best mystery books contain a healthy dose of humor
Art That’s Out of This World
Meteorites are rare, expensive, and being snapped up by collectors
It’s a Very Merry Morning Meeting
James Wolcott joins the podcast this week to discuss the pleasures of the solo Christmas
Pattie Boyd’s Life in Pictures
She married George Harrison and then Eric Clapton, was a muse for Mary Quant and David Hockney, and was photographed by David Bailey and Norman Parkinson, among others. Now the English model is publishing a book about it all