What a great reading. I am amazed at how inventive Kevin Brockmeier is, and on top of that he was very personable and a terrific reader. As MSF said last night, he's one of those great writers who makes you want to write (as opposed to intimidating you and making you feel like you suck).
I completely agree. What a rare combination of seriousness and whimsy. He read three pieces: one from his new novel, one from his new children's novel (Grooves), and something he called a fable, about a man who buys God's coat from a secondhand store and begins finding slips of paper in the pockets -- prayers from those who happen to be close by. You can tell this is a dedicated, careful, intelligent guy, but his material was by turns otherworldy, humorous, and fantastical. I don't know what I expected -- a wild-haired crazy southern boy, maybe -- but he seemed very studious and exacting. And calm and mild and ... normal. Focusing on the art, not on being an "artist." He really did make me want to write, too. Readings don't get much more perfect than that.
just finished the new novel yesterday and looking forward to his reading at the virginia festival of the book... the guy is incredibly imaginative. his figurative language is fantastic.
5 comments:
Thanks for the reminder. One not to miss.
What a great reading. I am amazed at how inventive Kevin Brockmeier is, and on top of that he was very personable and a terrific reader. As MSF said last night, he's one of those great writers who makes you want to write (as opposed to intimidating you and making you feel like you suck).
I completely agree. What a rare combination of seriousness and whimsy. He read three pieces: one from his new novel, one from his new children's novel (Grooves), and something he called a fable, about a man who buys God's coat from a secondhand store and begins finding slips of paper in the pockets -- prayers from those who happen to be close by. You can tell this is a dedicated, careful, intelligent guy, but his material was by turns otherworldy, humorous, and fantastical. I don't know what I expected -- a wild-haired crazy southern boy, maybe -- but he seemed very studious and exacting. And calm and mild and ... normal. Focusing on the art, not on being an "artist." He really did make me want to write, too. Readings don't get much more perfect than that.
Thanks for the recap. Bah, I really wanted to go.
just finished the new novel yesterday and looking forward to his reading at the virginia festival of the book... the guy is incredibly imaginative. his figurative language is fantastic.
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