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10/10/2005: "A few cool books recently read; Next tour stop"
Hello all,
Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian brethren. Happy Columbus Day to my US compatriots.
Just thought I would recommend, for anyone looking for a cool book to read, you could do a hell of a lot worse than CUTTER AND BONE, by Newton Thornburg. I won't go into the story itself, other than to say its main characters are a 30-something beach-bum gigolo and his Vietnam Vet buddy, who's missing an eye, an arm, and a leg. There was a movie version, starring Jeff Bridges, called CUTTER'S WAY. It's a sensational read. The sort of book that gets its claws into you, sinks them right into your brainpan, and won't let go. How's that for an endorsement? Well, if that's the sort of endorsement that appeals to you---you know who you are---then CUTTER AND BONE will blow you away.
Have also been reading some kid's books. Loved LIZARD MUSIC, by Daniel Pinkwater. Have also been re-reading a lot of Roald Dahl's stuff: THE WITCHES, THE BFG, DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. Wonderful stuff. I forgot how much I loved Dahl. I'm still working on the kid's book, but as I've got this novel deadline---now Dec. 1---I've had to lay off it a bit. But hopefuly I'll be able to get back to it shortly. Certainly a nice change of pace from the visceral, blood-n-guts of the novel.
TOUR STUFF:
I'm off to Calgary Wednesday morning for Wordfest. I'm doing two readings.
1) TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
October 13, 2005, 7:00 pm
7 - 8 pm, Banff Book & Art Den
Craig Davidson, Douglas Glover & Sheila Heti
So for this one we're up in Banff, at this great little wood-paneled bookstore at the end of the main drag. Douglas Glover won the Governor General's award for ELLE, and is an Iowa graduate; Sheila Heti is a young wunderkind who will be reading from her first novel, TICKNOR. I'm thinking about reading the last section from A MEAN UTILITY, the dog-fighting story. I figure it's about time I start shocking the audience.
2) WRITE FROM THE ROOTS
October 14, 2005, 12:00
The Fiction of the Future
Noon - 1 pm, Art Gallery of Calgary
Craig Davidson, Jenny Erpernbeck, Sheila Heti & Melanie Little
This one is in Calgary. At noon on a Friday, so I'm not sure who'll be there. Still, a cool line-up. Check it out if you can.
Looking forward to seeing my folks and all my friends back in Calgary, as well as those coming in from out of town. Also looking forward to seeing David Bergen again, and meeting Joseph Boyden and some of the other writers who I will most certainly act like a drunken fool around. I consider it a tune-up, really, for the Harbourfront reading series in Toronto, where I plan to (a) ask Zadie Smith to marry me, and (b) challenge John Irving to a wrestling match. Humble goals, in my opinion.
All best, Craig.