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When the state invents the truth: Oana Aristide discusses her new novel, 'Astronaut!'

NPR | By Scott Simon

Published July 18, 2026 at 7:42 AM EDT

A little girl dreams of color and a detective dreams of truth as he tries to catch a serial killer in communist Romania: NPR's Scott Simon talks with Ona Aristide about her new novel, "Astronaut!"

Copyright 2026 NPR

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Scott Simon

Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.

See stories by Scott Simon

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