Curtis Sittenfeld, acclaimed for her insightful narratives, engages with former First Lady Laura Bush in a compelling discussion about Sittenfeld's novel 'American Wife.' They delve into how an ordinary life can intersect with extraordinary circumstances, exploring the emotional complexities of political life. The conversation highlights George W. Bush's evolving public perception post-presidency and Laura's relatable persona versus her husband's legacy. They also examine the struggles of First Ladies, navigating fame, personal identity, and societal expectations amid political crises.

Curtis Sittenfeld, a beloved fiction writer known for her engaging narratives, joins Susannah Meadows, the Opinion editor, for a lively discussion on creativity in the age of AI. They explore a playful competition between Sittenfeld's human-authored story and one generated by ChatGPT, inviting listeners to decide which tale resonates more. The conversation dives into themes of nostalgia, emotional depth, and the essence of traditional storytelling versus AI capabilities, ultimately reflecting on the enduring power of human creativity.

Novelist Curtis Sittenfeld discusses writing from Hilary Clinton's perspective in 'Rodham', childhood book favorites, storytelling techniques, personal struggles, and dynamics of reader interpretation. The podcast explores nuances in storytelling, book preferences, and public critique.

Bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld discusses the challenges of isolation in writing and the desire for community. The speakers explore work-life balance and emphasize the importance of self-care, gratitude, and connection.

This week, bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld joins us to talk about romantic comedies. Curtis is a long-time fan of rom-coms – her most recent novel is, in fact, called Romantic Comedy. She loves love. But she also knows that there’s a difference between how love is portrayed in TV and movies, and what it’s like in real life. Curtis speaks with Lilah about the state of romantic comedies today: how they’ve changed, and where they could go next.Don’t forget! Send us your top summer tip: what’s one thing that you’d recommend people do to have the perfect summer? Record a message here: http://sayhi.chat/15xxg  You can also email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com, tweet us @ftweekendpod, or message Lilah on Instagram or Twitter @lilahrap. --------------Links: – Curtis’ latest novel is called Romantic Comedy– The FT’s review of Romantic Comedy: https://on.ft.com/3OGt4wC – Curtis’ other novels include Rodham (an alternate history of the life of Hillary Clinton) Prep (set in an American boarding school), Eligible (a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice), and American Wife (a romance based loosely on the life of Barbara Bush)– Follow Curtis on Twitter @csittenfeld Romantic comedies mentioned: – When Harry Met Sally – Say Anything– Notting Hill– Four Weddings and a Funeral– Dirty Dancing– Jerry Maguire– You’ve Got Mail– Ticket to Paradise (starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney)– Rye Lane– Fire Island– Russian Doll– Something’s Gotta Give--------------Special offers for Weekend listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial are here: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast.--------------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Clips courtesy of Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Vestron Pictures / Lionsgate Entertainment. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.