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Writer Lucy Grealy on Finding Her Face.

Lucy Grealy had cancer in her jaw as a child, for which she underwent 5 years of treatment. The surgery and other therapy left her disfigured. Over the next 15 years she had about 30 reconstructive operations. Her memoir Autobiography of a Face is about her illness, and about the pain from feeling ugly, which she says made cancer seems minor in comparison. Her memoir is expanded from an article which won a National Magazine Award when it was published in Harpers. (Originally aired 9/26/94)

22:55
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Other segments from the episode on August 11, 1995

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 11, 1995: Interview with Lucy Grealy; Interview with Edmund White; Review of the film "Clueless."
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16:10

Writer Edmund White.

Edmund White has written about American gay culture for over two decades. White, who himself is gay, discusses the loss of a lover to Aids. White says he has tested positive for HIV. His essays chronicle the gay rights movement from the 1969 Stonewall riots to the present. His newest book, Skinned Alive was published last month by Knopf. White's next book is due out in November titled Our Paris: Sketches from Memory.

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03:41

"Clueless" is a Lot of Fun.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Clueless." The film stars Alicia Silverstone and was written and directed by Amy Heckerling who Schiff considers one of the top two female directors in Hollywood. Heckerling's other films include "Fast times at Ridgemont High," and "LookWho's Talking."

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22:53

Writer Lucy Grealy on Finding Her Face

As a child, Lucy Grealy spent five years being treated for cancer, which left her face disfigured. She has since had over thirty reconstructive procedures and years of living with a distorted self-image. She's just written "Autobiography of a Face," her memoir about coming to terms with looking less than perfect in a society that values female beauty.

Interview
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22:37

Director David Lynch on His Fascination with the Body

Lynch is the director of several critically acclaimed films, including "Eraserhead," "The Elephant Man," "Dune" and "Blue Velvet." He is also the creator of the popular but short-lived TV series, "Twin Peaks." Lynch has published a book of photographs of his movies and his art, called "Images."

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A humorist faces life with Stage 4 lung cancer: 'The future disappeared for me'

Terry Gross interviews humorist, memoirist and actress ANNABELLE GURWITCH about her new memoir called The End of My Life is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker. It is a national bestseller.

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