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MODERN CLASSICS

Program 07-05-27-A

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	Vladimir Nabokov

It's been called divine and it's been called disgusting. it's arguably one of the most important books of all time. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita" as we ask the question "what makes a modern classic?" Also, the best-selling novel of all time in Sweden, a coming of age story called "Popular Music from Vittula." And why the classics get better and richer with each re-reading.

SEGMENT 1:

Mikael Niemi is the author of the best selling book in Swedish history. "Popular Music from Vittula" is a poignant coming of age story and its author talks with Steve Paulson. Jim Fleming speaks with Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner."

SEGMENT 2:

Steve Paulson talks with writers and editors about the enduring influence of Vladimir Nabokov's novel "Lolita." The book was published over 50 years ago and is the story of a middle aged man's sexual obsession with a twelve year old girl. Also, Azar Nafisi is the author of "Reading Lolita in Tehran." Her book tells the story of how this English professor met with her students to discuss Western literature in Revolutionary Iran.

SEGMENT 3:

Italo Calvino reads from his novel "If on A Winter's Night A Traveler." And, Anne Fadiman, editor of a book called "Rereadings: Seventeen writers revisit books they love" talks with Anne Strainchamps about the joys of re-reading the classics. And best-selling novelist Jane Hamilton shares some of her favorite endings from modern literature with Steve Paulson.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 07-05-27-A.

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Books:

Ray Bradbury. “Dandelion Wine” (1957)
Khaled Hosseini. “The Kite Runner” (2003)
Vladimir Nabokov. “Lolita” (1955)
Mikael Niemi. “Popular Music from Vittula” (2003)
Robert Penn Warren. “All the King’s Men” (1946)

Music:

• -The Mora Sister from the album “Virvla”/ Boot/ Northside
• -Moria Badnawa from the album Musafir/ Dhola Maru/ Café International
• -Suite II in D Minor BWV 1008 from “6 Suites for Cello Solo”/ Matt Haimovitz/ Oxingale Records
• -Ghateh-ya Zarbi from “Homage to Molavi (Rumi)”/ Dastan Ensemble with Shahram Nazeri/ Sounds True
• -Suite I in G Major, BWV 1007 from “6 Suites for Cello Solo”/ Matt Haimovitz/ Oxingale Records
• -Let’s Get Lost from “Home to Oblivion: An Elliott Smith Tribute by Christopher O’Riley/ World Village

Distribution dates: week of 04/27/2008 - hour 1 week of 05/27/2007 - hour 1 click here for timings and cues

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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