DOUBLE LIFE

Before he won France's Goncourt Prize last week, Russian emigre ANDREI MAKINE, 38, had to go to great lengths just to get published. The literati initially couldn't accept a Russian writing in French, so he rewrote his first two novels in Russian and presented the French originals as translations. He even posed as his ghost French translator. Maybe he deserves an Oscar too.

LONG LIVE THE KING

James Brown has nothing on him. KING SUNNY ADE, 49, has to be the hardest-working man in music. In his native Nigeria he has released more than 100 albums since the 1960s. King of the "juju" sound--officially crowned in a 1977 state ceremony--he popularized his exuberant African rhythms with several whirlwind world tours in the '80s. Exhaustion forced a retirement four years ago, but his fans soon lured him back. Now doing eight live shows a week, he has recorded a new CD, E Dide (Get Up). His message? "Enjoy yourself, dance, be happy and go home." A royally good idea.

TWO FOR THE ROAD

In the year since Mexico's GERMAN SILVA, 27, and Kenya's TEGLA LOROUPE, 22, won the 1994 New York City Marathon, their lives have followed parallel paths through both triumph and tragedy. Loroupe's sister died two weeks before this year's race; Silva's father passed away last summer. Last week their repeat victories proved bittersweet. After Loroupe crossed the finish line, the two shared a tender embrace. "I was running for my father," Silva told reporters. "It is something I have in common with Tegla. We feel together."

OUT OF CHARACTER

Last in skirts in 1993's Mrs. Doubtfire, ROBIN WILLIAMS could have been typecast for The Birdcage, the American remake of the gay French comedy La Cage aux Folles. But, surprise, Williams plays the straight--well, straighter--man. The role of his flamboyant cross-dressing lover went to theater veteran Nathan Lane. "I know there were times when he probably wanted to be outrageous," says Lane. "But he's such a kind and generous soul." And so sensitive.