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Death and "Life on Earth"

Writer Sheila Ballantyne's newest collection of short stories explores mortality. She says her musings on death help her better appreciate the time she has right now.

09:22
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Other segments from the episode on August 8, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 8, 1988: Interview with Philip Langdon; Review of Ornette Coleman's album "Virgin Beauty"; Interview with Shelia Ballantyne; Interview with David Bianculli.
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27:38

The Evolution of the American House

Journalist Philip Langdon joins Fresh Air guest host Sedge Thomson to discuss the changing nature of home design throughout the United States -- which have reflects new ideas about work, family and community,

Interview
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06:23

Coleman's Shot at Having a Hit

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says Ornette Coleman's new album, Virgin Beauty, is the best and most accessible example yet of his harmolodic approach. The alto saxophonist is backed by his electric band Prime Time, which features the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia on several tracks.

Review
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03:20

The End of the TV Writer's Strike

TV critic David Bianculli is in Los Angeles for a press tour. Now that the five-month long writers' strike has come to an end, he discusses the upcoming television season -- which he finds largely unimpressive -- with Fresh Air guest host Sedge Thomson.

Interview

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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09:52

Novelist Amy Tan on Mothers and Daughters

Tan's first novel is called The Joy Luck Club, which is about a group of Chinese mothers who try to understand their American-born daughters. She joins Fresh Air to discuss her relationship with her own mother, and her mother's home country.

Interview

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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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