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Tom Robbins' "Pop-Baroque" Style of Writing.

Novelist Tom Robbins. His latest book "Skinny Legs and All," (Bantam Books) involves a young Virginia artist, Ellen Cherry, who moves to New York to pursue an art career and ends up a waitress at Isaac & Ishmael's, a restaurant owned by an Arab and a Jew which sits across the street from the United Nations. Other characters of note: Salome, the teenage belly dancer, and some magical objects: a conch, a stick, a sock, a can o'beans, and a spoon. Robbins' other novels include: "Another Roadside Attraction," "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," "Still Life with Woodpecker," and "Jitterbug Perfume."

11:05
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Other segments from the episode on April 11, 1990

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 11, 1990: Interview with Edward Villella; Review of Pablo Casals' album "Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat, K. 364 ; Divertimento in E-Flat, K. 563"; Interview with Tom…
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22:24

Dancer Edward Villella Stays in Ballet After Retirement.

Dancer Edward Villella. For thirty years he was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet where his performances in Balanchine's "Apollo" and "Prodigal Son," first brought him to critical acclaim. Though shorter in stature than most dancers, Villella, has been heralded for his ability to handle vigorous athletic roles with grace. Villella developed his dancing style under the guidance of choreographer George Balanchine. He was also influenced by choreographer Jerome Robbins.

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03:52

Seeing Celebrity Up-Close.

Critic Maureen Corrigan shares her thoughts on celebrity stars, thoughts generated by her recent trip from the East Coast halls of Academe to Hollywood.

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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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27:39

Yorkam Kaniuk's "Confessions of a Good Arab"

The Israeli author's new novel is about a man descended from both a Jewish Holocaust survivor and a Palestinian aristocrat. While Kaniuk fought for the Israeli War for Independence, he also signed -- along with other Israeli and Arab intellectuals and artists -- an agreement advocating for Palestinian independence.

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52:30

How the duo behind 'The Invite' wrote a sex comedy (that's not really about sex)

Screenwriters RASHIDA JONES and WILL MCCORMACK. They're the writing team behind the new film The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde and starring Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton. They've been creative partners for more than two decades, first as co-writers of Celeste and Jesse Forever. JONES is an actor, writer, producer, and director. She won a Grammy for co-directing the documentary Quincy, about her father, Quincy Jones, and recently earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in Black Mirror. MCCORMACK is an Academy Award-winning writer, director, and actor.

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Remembering music theater historian Robert Kimball

(1.) ROBERT KIMBALL, the musical historian who rediscovered and rescued music and manuscripts by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and others – and who co-wrote important books about George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Eubie Blake – died last week, at the age of 86. He was the artistic advisor to the Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin estates.

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