On Beauty by Zadie Smith with Virginia Pye
About this episode
This episode discusses Zadie Smith's 'On Beauty' and features guest Virginia Pye, exploring themes of family, race, and politics.
On Beauty by Zadie Smith follows two feuding families—the liberal Belseys and the conservative Kippses—whose lives collide in a New England university town, exploring themes of race, family, politics, and love through sharp satire and witty dialogue. Kirkus Reviews calls Marriage and Other Monuments , Virginia Pye’s recently published book, “A fascinating and audacious novel of family, marriage and a society in flux.” It is a #1 Amazon bestseller in New Southern FictionVirginia’s essays have appeared in The New York Times , Literary Hub , Publisher’s Weekly , Writer’s Digest , The Rumpus , and elsewhere. She has taught writing at New York University and the University of Pennsylvania, and, most recently, at GrubStreet in Boston. Virginia is Fiction Editor of the literary journal Pangyrus and serves on the board of the Women’s National Book Association, Boston Chapter. Drink this week: The Zadie Smith - obvi! This recipe is from the book: Free the Tipple: Kickass Cocktails Inspired by Iconic Women - Check it out! In this Episode Marriage and Other Monuments by Virginia Pye Style Weekly Best of Richmond 2026 Free the…
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