Fresh Air, Ahmir Thompson and Gary Shteyngart

By: Terry Gross

Narrated by: Terry Gross

Drummer Ahmir Thompson, otherwise known as "?uestlove" of the hip-hop group The Roots and writer Gary Shtenyngart on this edition of Fresh Air. The Grammy award-winning sextet has six albums to its credit. Their latest CD is Phrenolog. Their first single from the album is "Break You Off." The group is just beginning a nationwide tour. Gary Shteyngart's debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook, received critical acclaim and is now out in paperback. The main character of the book, like Shteyngart, is a Russian-American Jew who emigrated to the U.S. as a child. In a New York Times Magazine cover article, Daniel Zalewski wrote, "Gary Shteyngart has rewritten the classic immigrant narrative - starring a sarcastic slacker instead of a grateful striver. And after all his parents have done for him!" (Original Broadcast Dates: February 6, 2003 and July 2, 2002)Want more Fresh Air?

Get the latest issue.

Check out the complete archive.

(P) and ©2003 WHYY-FM