Helene Hanff’s Diary
The story of Helene Hanff, the Bridget Jones of the postwar literary set, whose uproarious 84, Charing Cross Road has never been out of print
Paula Beer
The Berlin Film Festival darling who eschewed drama school for the real thing
Is Paris Churning?
As the city reopens to tourists, we have some delicious stories about it
La Scala’s Shining Star
Remembering the Italian ballerina Carla Fracci, Milan’s star dancer who died last month aged 84
Opera Pick of the Week
From Toronto’s Opera Atelier, a Niagara of Baroque images for Handel’s The Resurrection
Short List
Books to read this week, including fresh looks at Norman Jewison and Stephen Hawking, and an enlightened guide to parenting
Floral Tribute
The pioneering photographer Anna Atkins is not nearly as well known as her contemporaries, such as Henry Fox Talbot. Her work reveals photography’s transition from science to art
When Mildred Met Sally
How did American college dropout Mildred Gillars become Axis Sally, the voice behind English-language Nazi propaganda during W.W. II?
Why Cruella Is This Year’s Most Stylish Film
Emma Stone and Emma Thompson face off in 1970s London, as punk takes on couture
The Real Deal
As cultural workers have had their livelihoods crushed by the pandemic, the New Deal’s arts projects are suddenly relevant again
Flowery Verses
Music, like gardens, is often better when you don’t have to do the work yourself. Let Jerry Lee Lewis, Nina Simone, Bobby Vinton, the Wailin’ Jennys, and others do the heavy lifting this spring
Street Cars Named Desire
Citroëns, Corvettes, and a bright-blue Fiat 500 get their due in a new book collecting the coolest classic cars
The New Books People Are Obsessing Over
Arts and books editor Julia Vitale joins Ashley and Mike to talk about one of their favorite subjects: What are you reading?