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Jane Smiley's Writing Mocks People's Attempts to Control Their Lives.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews two new novellas by Jane Smiley, "Ordinary Love" and "Good Will."

03:33
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Other segments from the episode on October 25, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 25, 1989: Interview with James Abourezk; Interview with Kenneth Branagh; Review of Jane Smiley's novellas "Ordinary Love" and "Good Will."
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22:26

Former Senator James G. Abourezk on Native and Arab Americans.

Former U.S. senator James G. Abourezk (AB-er-esk). In his new memoir, "Advise and Dissent," Abourezk tells of Arab-American heritage, his coming of age in the North Dakota Indian country, his early political days, his 8 years in Congress, and his decision not to run for re-election in 1979. These days Abourezk is an attorney in Washington, D.C., and is National Chairman of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

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18:05

Kenneth Branagh Discusses Directing and Playing "Henry V."

Actor and director Kenneth Branagh (rhymes with "Savanah"). Branagh has just made a new film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry the Fifth," with himself in the title role. Branagh was born in Northern Ireland, studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, spent two years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as acting, managing, and directing other groups and working on several BBC productions. The new "Henry the 5th" also stars Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield and Ian Holm.

Interview

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21:06

Nick Hornby Talks "About a Boy."

British novelist Nick Hornby, the author of the best-selling comic novel "High Fidelity" about a 30-something record collector, and top-ten list maker who is afraid of commitment. His newest novel "About a Boy" (Riverhead Books) is about a 36 year old man who pretends to be a single parent in order to meet women who are single parents. Robert DeNiro has just optioned "About a Boy" for a film. "High Fidelity" is about to be made into a film starring John Cusack.

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52:30

Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

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43:04

This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

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08:26

This Romanian film about immigration and vanishing jobs hits close to home

R.M.N. is based on an actual 2020 event in Ditrău, Romania, where 1,800 villagers voted to expel three Sri Lankans who worked at their local bakery.

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