January 18, 1997 - Judith Guest is known for chronicling suburban family life in turmoil. Her book "Ordinary People" examined a family's reaction after the death of it's eldest son. Guest's story was turned into an Academy Award-winning film starring Mary Tyler Moore and directed by Robert Redford. Her new book "Errands" once again takes us into the life of a grieving family, this time the family is dealing with the death of the father. This story is based on the real-life marriage of Guest's grandparents. Judith Guest says she doesn't think she's fixated on death, she says her dark subject matter allows her to explore how families deal with their emotions.
January 11, 1997 -
January 4, 1997 - Faith Sullivan's latest book, "The Empress of One" was born out of frustration and rejection. Her best-selling novel The Cape Ann was printed by a New York publisher. But when Sullivan submitted the sequel to her story, it was roundly rejected by her publisher. That reaction plummented Faith Sullivan into a depression and into a writing block. But the encouragement of local Milkweed Editions publisher--Emilie Buchwald--prompted Sullivan to embark on a new project.
December 14, 1996 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews author Lee Smith about using Christmas letters as an idea for creating a novel…with recipes, of course.
December 7, 1996 - The historic Purcell-Cutts House in Minneapolis will be decorated for the holidays for the first time since it's restoration. The home remains one of the the most significant examples of Prairie School architecture in the country. The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is offering hoilday tours of the Purcell-Cutts home. Visitors will have the opportunity to see how the home might have looked as the Purcell's celebrated Christmas in 1917.
November 24, 1996 - Managed health care is capturing headlines these days. Some say this type of health coverage is a blessing---others say it's a bit of a curse. Commentator Gary Eustice is a social worker from Hibbing. He has first-hand knowledge of trying to work within the confines of today's managed care system.
October 27, 1996 - Emilie Buchwald, publisher of Milkweed Editions, reads the winning essay from Boundary Waters writing contest. Essay is titled “Going Home” by Larry Risser.
October 26, 1996 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham takes a walking tour with Dennis William Hauck, author of “Haunted Places.” The two discuss Minnesota ghost hauntings at the Guthrie Theater, the State’s Capitol, and St. John’s University.
October 13, 1996 - It's a mystery, a love story and just a plain eerie tale. Siri Hustvedt's new book "The Enchantment of Lily Dahl" is set in Webster, Minnesota, a town that appears to be ordinary. Siri Hustvedt and her title character Lily Dahl share many things in common, both spent time as waitresses and both have lived in small Minnesota towns. Siri Hustvedt says her hometown of Northfield, Minnesota served as a model for the fictional town of Webster.
September 14, 1996 - The quest for spiritual renewal is the topic of the 12th Annual Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium at Corcordia College. Speakers will examine the future of churches, media coverage of religion and how Generation X'ers worship. "Soul Searching: The Unsettled Church and America's Spiritual Quest" is free and open to the public. This weekend's symposium is part of Concordia's on-going series of discussions on important social topics. Dr. Per Anderson is the Symposium Committee Chair. He says there are many signs that Americans are re-examing religion.