xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Sunday, August 17,2014 | G7 BOOKS

Antonya Nelson Michael Cunningham KarenRussell Mary Szybist

Dana Kroos RichardPhibbs Michael Lionstar Jodi Kabana Authors give candid onstage interviews

AuthorsfrompageG1

Lastyear,Inprintdrewits larg- estsingle audience,selling more than 2,400 tickets for Khaled Hosseini, the Afghan-born novelistand physician who wrote “The Kite Runner,” “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and, mostrecently, “A nd the Mountains Echoed.” Hosseini’s ticket sales trumped Salman Rushdie’s,twice an Inprintguest, whosold 2,200 tickets when he appeared in 2010. And here’s the thing about those tick- ets: General admission to areading costs $5.Thatprice hasn’t changed since 1980. “The price is so low, youget abroad spectrum of people,” says Marilyn Jones, Inprint’sassociate director. “Weemphasize to authors on tour and to our audience thatthere’s lots of money Kevin Young Kazuo Ishiguro Cristina Henríquez left to buybooks,” Levy says. Season ticketholders reallyhelp Michael Lionstar Phil Weedon Michael Lionstar support the series, Levy adds. The$175 Hopkins and Emma Thompson that season ticketfee includesreservedseats, wonfour Oscars. Born in Japan in 1954, twoguestpasses, free parking for half the Ishiguro movedwithhis familyin1960 readingsand asigned copy of Mitchell’s latestnovel, “The Bone Clocks.” to England, where he still lives. Hismost This year,all the authors will appear recentworks include “When We Were at the Wortham Theater Center’s Cullen Orphans” (2000)and “Never LetMe Auditorium, whichseats 1,100 —alarge Go”(2005), whichfollows alove triangle venuefor the series. thatbegins at ahome for children who “We’rehoping more students can at- are raised —cloned —tobeorgan tend,” Jones says.“Students tend to make donors. Readers have waited adecade for lastminute decisions.” Ishiguro’s upcoming novel, “The Buried Levy,nodding,deadpanned: “Wecater Giant,” about whichverylittle is known. to the impulsive.” HisBritishpublisher,Faber and Faber, Here’s alook at the newseason: describes it as astoryof“lostmemories, DAVID MITCHELL, Sept. 21: Those love,revengeand war.” whohaven’t read“Cloud Atlas,” Mitch- CRISTINA HENRÍQUEZ AND ell’s 2004 novel, mayhaveseen the 2012 film starring TomHanksand Halle Berry. Marlon James Geoff Dyer MARLON JAMES, April 20: Hen- Mitchell often writes about the future, ríquez has gotten stellar reviews for her recentnovel, “The Book of Unknown isn’t afraid to experimentwithform and Jeffrey Skemp Matt Stuart has the temerity to bend genres. Theau- Americans,” about afamilywho emi- thor of “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM, Nov. 10: surprised readers this spring with “Sleep grates to America from Mexico and meets de Zoet,” “Black Swan Green,” “Number- “The Hours,” Cunningham’s 2000 novel Donation,” an e-book novella set in the several other families whomade similar 9Dream”and “Ghostwritten”will read thatcombines the final days of Virginia future thatimagines an insomnia epi- journeysfrom Latin America. “This from his upcoming novel, “The Bone Woolf with stories of fictional characters demic and the perfect donors for uncor- book bringsupthe question thatmany Clocks,” to be published Sept. 2. Thenew searching for love and acceptance,won a rupted sleep: babies. immigrants still strugglewith: Wasit book explores the surreal worldofHolly Pulitzer,the PEN/Faulkner Award, and worth it?” notes KrupaParikh, Inprint’s MARYSZYBISTAND KEVIN Sykes, ateen whohas captured the atten- became acriticallyacclaimed film star- director of marketing and outreach.The tion of adangerous groupofmystics. ring MerylStreep, Julianne Moore and YOUNG, Feb.23: It’s poetrynight. Szybistwon the National Book Award Jamaican-born James, whose “The Book Nicole Kidman. “The SnowQueen,” Cun- of NightWomen”won the Dayton Liter- DEBORAH EISENBERGAND ningham’s sixth novel, follows twogrown for her poetrycollection, “Incarnadine,” ANTONYANELSON, Oct. 13: All hail whichmassagesthe myth of the biblical aryPeace Prize,will readfrom his highly brothers in their searchfor transcen- anticipated “A Brief HistoryofSeven the short story. This pairing of Eisenberg, dence in present-dayNew Yo rk.“They’re Mary.The judges’ citation for the award Killings,” about the 1976 attempted as- ashort storymaster (and wife of Wal- looking for the meaning of life —orjust noted: “This is areligious book for non- sassination of BobMarley —thoughthe lace Shawn),and Nelson, aUniversity of trying to growup,” Jones says.“Thebook believers, or abook of necessarydoubts Houston professor whohas published is unhurried in away thatmade me want for the faithful.” Yo ung wonthe 2012 reggaeartistisnever named. both novels and short storycollections, American Book Award for “A rdency:A to savorit. This is Cunningham taking GEOFF DYER,May 11: This English will be an evening of “writers’ writers,” Chronicle of the AmistadRebels.” His stockofthe world.” writer wonthe National Book Critics Levy says.Eisenberg, whowon the PEN/ mostrecentcollection, “Book of Hours,” Circle Award for Criticism for his essay Faulkner Award for Fiction for “The Col- KAREN RUSSELL, Jan.26: Russell chronicles his personal journey through collection “Otherwise Known as the lected Stories of Deborah Eisenberg,”is gotravereviews for “Swamplandia!” the loss of his father and the birth of his Human Condition,” but he has written “almostthe opposite of David Mitchell,” The2011 novelabout an Everglades son: “her face/full of fire,then groaning Levy says.“Yo ufeel likeawhole novelis theme parkwas afinalistfor the 2012 your face/out likeaflower, blood-bloom, four novels and several other worksless compressed in 30 pages.” Thesame goes Pulitzer Prize —the year no Pulitzer was crocused into air.” easytocategorize.InHouston, Dyer will for Nelson, whose short storycollec- awarded for fiction. Russell’s 2013 short discuss his latestbook,“Another Great tion, “FunnyOnce,” wasreleased in the storycollection, “Vampires in the Lemon KAZUOISHIGURO, March 23: DayatSea: Life Aboard the USSGeorge spring.Both of these authors operate like Grove,” has been praised as magical and Ishiguro’s mostfamous novel, 1989’s W. Bush,” anarrative of his residency fictional spies, observing the smallest far-reaching,gathering everything from “Remains of the Day,”won the coveted aboard an aircraft carrier. details and human foibles for maximum stolen rabbits to werewolves to human ManBooker Prize and wasmade into comic —and tragic —effect. silkworms. The33-year-old writer also an unforgettable film with Anthony [email protected]

REVIEW Debut novelisall is a literaryiteraryb beaeach reareaddt thathate evveerryyoonene should enjoyenjoy

By Porter Shreve twobooksamonth and herd of midseason coats the book. installation, WarWash, people whoreadtwo books crowdedinthe mudroom Thebuyer,known only an artistic commenton Courtney Maum’s first ayear. to the glitter-pencil pen- as “Dave,” turns out to be the coming warwithIraq novel, “I Am Having So Thesituation is time- guin drawingscurling up one half of an over-the-top thatinvites the public to Much FunHere Without worn and irresistible.The beneath the magnets on NewAge couple whose participate “in an absurd Yo u,” is apublicist’sdream. settings—the streets, our refrigerator door,every antics makemuchofthe domestic act: the washing Itssnappy title prom- art galleries and homes object in our household middle third of the novel of thingsinoil.” ises ironic humor,and it of mostlyrichParisians waspart of our ongoing seem farcical. Down the stretch, leavesone wondering if and Londoners, plus tale.” “We’recompleters of the Maum returns to her art, the “I” will end up with the the Frenchand English Thefirstthird of the circle,” Dave says of himself too.She is abundantly “you.” Theterrific cover countryside—are idyllic novelisanchored by acore and his partner,Dan. “Like gifted —funny, open-heart- calls to mind the romance escapes, lushly drawn. dilemma, nuanced char- our snakegod, we,too,try ed, adept at bringing global of aEuropean holiday. Maum convincingly inhab- acterization and asmart to be the belt around the issues into the personal Theblurbs, from critically itsthe thoughtsofher pro- send-upofthe internation- worldthatkeeps it from sphere.Thoughher novel lauded writers, speak to tagonist, Richard Haddon, al art scene.But then the bursting apart.” He sends is an unevenmarriage of the novel’swit and insight. as he stumbles throughhis ‘I Am Having So focus abruptlyswitches to off Richard with atalis- the literaryand the popu- And the elevator pitchis crisis, keenlyportraying Much Fun Here acontrivedplot involving man, Ngendo, described lar,she is certainlycapable ready-made:30-something the emotional and physical Without You’ one of Richard’s paintings. as “some kind of cross be- of making the relationship Britishartisthas affair frustrations thatleadhim As Maum delves into this tween an African fertility work and eventuallycreat- By CourtneyMaum. in Paris with American to stray. narrative involving the sculpture,license-plate art, ing thatrare thing:abook Touchstone,336 pp., woman, but decides to About his mistress, sale of afavorite work to and atotem pole.” Sure, for everyone. $25.99. return to Frenchwife.It Richard thinks, “Mylife amysterious buyer, who it’s funny, but it’s com- offers amoral quandary, a hadbeen illuminated by happens to have the same pletelyout of context. Even Porter Shreve, whose fourth love triangle and aFranco- Lisa, made more vivid by of self.” About his wife name as the man Lisa has floppy-haired Richard, in novel,“The End of the Book,” British-American conflict. her presence.Icouldn’t and his life with their taken up with, Icouldn’t his bumbling attempt to waspublished in Febru- Here we have the literary imagine letting go —really young daughter:“Iloved help but feel as if ascreen- win back his wife,starts ary, wrotethis reviewfor beach read—abook that letting go of her —without Anne-Laure.And Ineeded writer of broadcomedies to seem likeHughGrant. the Wa shington Post Book pleases people whoread losing arekindled sense her.Everything,from the hadhijacked 70 pagesof Lovelorn, he begins anew World. Swch c_ulturet',lap I _ _ f.AI [3 fl! AUSTit'l culturermffip HOUSTON

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Hams ) Arts BCOK SMART Celebrity authors with Hollywood cred heading to Houston: This new Inprint schedule is star studded

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very spring when lnr:r['rl, Houston's foremost literary arts organization, begins looking for authors for the next season of the Inprint Margarett Root Broun Reading Serieq executive director, Rich i.cvv, says they have one, main objective: "To get the best possible writers and to get a mix of genre, M style ethnic r 1;. i.+:.::* i. backgrounds." ..* i .; .*.1

But sometimeg mostly accidentally as the season begins to form, some themes become apparent. Downtown I This year after getting a look at ihe stellar seiection of authors, I noticed that th e 2074-201,5 season appears positively cinematic, revamped s thanks mostly to three Literary stars: ijauri h{i'Lilieii, ivjirllar:l dir.uuii-,gir;-rnr and i(azut:, ishigiiro. and music d Greenstreel

\A4-rile it's not rurusual for a lineup to include one or maybe two authors who have a novel Redevelopir or short story adapted as movies, these three have a combined eight films with their name GreenStreet on them, either because the film was inspired by one of their best-selling works, like dynamic evt amenities Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, Cunningham's The Hours and A Hone at the End of tl.teWorld and Ishigurds Rerrains of the Day andNeoer Let Me Go, or in the case of lshigiirci and Cli.urningham they've also tried their hand at screenwriting.

Viewing this impressive list of award winning novels adapted into Oscar nominated and winning films made me realize how much cinema spring from books, but also wonder what the allure is for movie directors. I thought perhaps Lery, who is also on the Museum of Fine Arts filrn committee, might give me some perspective. A home desi Team Book vs. Team Film CITYCENT home decol When it comes to film adaptations, Levy is not surprisingly on Team Book, arguing: "Usually, the filrn versions of books are not with stores 1 satisfying for people who love the books," but he also thinks the stories in books can be great inspiration for filmmakers. CITYCENT secrets rev€ He does note that there are some great films out there that have introduced a novel to a new audience and that book and film can Houston's hr "coexist pretty nicely." demonstratr

"I dont think film makers necessarily want to redo wirat's been done on the page, and Movies- orrti markets, cor they can't. But then ihey can bring it to life in a way the writer only has words to work Summer far witlg" he says. At CITYCE} After discussing what filmmakers get out of using a novel as a source for a movie - an E@ already proven good story that probably got under the filmmakels skin -I asked what's THETRAILB in it for writers like Culningham, Mitchell and Ishirguro.

Money, of course, was Levy's first answer. A film version of an author's novel can certainly give the writer the monetary space and time to work on the next novel. But Ler,y, a poet in

his own righ! moves on from the practical to the artistic. lponsred b

"I think it's probably very interesting to see how this thing - that came out of your head B.f B Young profes that you invented and then put down on the page in words - how someone is going to style in a trer This palty's r create a two dimen-sional version of that " he muses. "That must be a surreal and marvelous experience, if you can let go the fact that it's no longer yours." 8.16 Getting high Park a ne',1. a So what will be the next great novel enticing filmmakers to bring ii to the screen? Could it be Mii chel! s The Bone Clocks, vthich partying for r Plofessionais he'llbe reading to Houston audiences on Sept. 21, only a fewweeks after it debuts? Maybe they'll feel a chill from Cunningham's The Snow Queen,hkeHouston fans undoubtedly will on Nov. 10. Fashionablc B.r4 1 prolesslolials Is Ishiguro's fust novel in a decadg The Buried Giant, t&ichlne reads on March 23, the one? Or perhaps it will be Karen l{usseli, styies at sizzl reading onlan. 26, v,atrore Swatnplandia came clos;e- to being the next big liBO series.

Stili, we can't cormt out the other highlights of the season.

A Celebration of the Short Story on Oct. 13 One of the greats of the short story form, Deborah Eisenberg, and UH's own,\rionyar lrJelson, whose latest collectron Funny Once just came out this surnmer help us remember some tales are best told in bite sized pieces.

-cPdf,-s{ One (actually two) for the poetry lovers on Feb.23 As a reminder that we don't have to wait for April to celebrate poetry, Inprint presents 2013 National Book Award winner Mary l{custon's ornr Szybist and National Book Award finalist Kevin Young. B.Z the park ceni likeable ccwa Up and Coming Voices on April 20 Stal tool in F Cristina Henriquez and Marlon James are telling vastly different stories in their new novels. Henrique z's The Book of llnknown 7.tg health] monl Americans gives readers distinctive and timeiy stories of immigrants. s A Brief History James of Snen Kltings recalls the 1976 from fooiiie C attempted assassination of Bob Marley. good, iool

The F But both juggle nurnerous narrators in order to give us multiple points of views into these worlds. 6.28 Corpse moved on lo f'eeding: 1t's : Nonfiction Takes a Bow on May 11 iife at HMNS To sail the season into the sunsef celebrated essayist Gmff Dyer will read fuomhis Anothet Gteat Day at Sea, a chronicling of his two weeks with the msr and women aboard the aircraft carrier the USS George H.W. Bush. Inprint has frequently brought nonfiction giants to the stage, but they're now making an effort to have a creative nonfiction night every year, bringrng "memoirist a lot writers who, Iike Dyer, are not afraid to insert themselves in the work."

The season brings many new worlds to explore and a multitude of new voices, real and imaginary, so enjoy immersing yourself, u,'hiie knowing that there's probably a director out there reading with you, wondering if there's another Oscar in here for Meryi Slreep. xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Sunday, September 21,2014 | G7 ZEST

REVIEW ‘Bone Clocks’ runs on souls, survivors

By Maggie Galehouse

On the phone from his hotel in Washington, D.C., David Mitchell is pleasant. Chatty. Readers knowfrom his books—“Cloud Atlas” and “The Thousand Autumns of Jacobde Zoet” among them — thatthis is aman with expansive ideas, agrand imagination. Hisplots cross time and space, soaring with speculations (and judgments)onlove, memory, technology, energy consumption, race,gender,even the transmigration of souls. In conversation, Isensed asimilar omniverousness, as if he didn’t want to be corralled into either/or questions or simple ideas. So when askedwhich booksand authors have influenced him —adull enoughquestion, but one thatcan be fruitful —I wasn’t surprised when he trotted out alistand then backed off it with a double negative. In his 20s, he says, he enjoyed“the usual.” “Tothe Lighthouse,” “Dubliners,” Hermann Hesse,Milan Kundera, Gabriel García Marquez, Gunter Grass and (the not so usual) Tobias Smollet. (“He’squite rude and quitefunny. Quite ribald.”). Robert Wuensche photoillustration /HoustonChronicle|Fotolia “But it’s hard to imagine influences,” Whyafemale Author appearance been short-orlong- wrong word. Mitchell says,starting protagonist? David Mitchell kicksoffthe Inprint Margarett Root Brown listed for Britain’s highly “Sounds abit conde- to retreat. “Towhat “Because I’ve never Reading Series7:30 p.m. Sundayatthe Wortham Theater regarded Booker Prize. scending?” he half-asks. degree they made who written afull-length Center,501 Texas. Doorsopen at 6:45p.m.; general admis- He occupies an enviable “I guess youcould say youare,I’m not really novelwithafemale sion ticketsare $5. Information: inprinthouston.org. place in the literary hyper attentive readers. sure.But this listisnot protagonist,” Mitchell world: his action-fueled, HARs, we’ll call them. unrepresentative.” says.“Iknewthere’d genre-bending books Ye ah. Ijustdid aquestion Mitchell, 45 —“though be difficulties. I is not are imaginati ve enough and answeronRedditand Ifeel about 90; I’minthe wanted to incorporate imminent for voraciousvoracious fantasyfantasy some people must have middle of abook tour” those difficulties into on the readers (geeks),a, andnd spenthours composing “—will be in Houston something good. It horizon. literarliteraryye enoughnoughf foror their questions. Some- tonight to readfrom his stretched me.Mywife Butit’s people whwhooa arenren’t times Idohaveconversa- newnovel, “The Bone helped me alot. She’s there in looking for asa steateady tions with thatlevel of Clocks,” currentlyNo. 3 not backward in being the mirror diet of the susuppernaturalernatural fine detail. Yo udon’t have on the NewYorkTimes forthright ... I’malways Mitchell and in yoyourur in their fiction, to getall the details to get best-seller list. very grateful, even if its back andand in thankyouverymuch pleasure from the books, Hisappearance onlyafterwards.” your shortness of breath (snobs). but people whoare inter- launches the 2014-15 Holly’sarc coincides when youtakethe stairs He already is workingworking ested in details ... Iput season of Inprint’s with some very old souls, insteadofthe elevator. on his next book. them in for them.” Margarett Root Brown whohavevisited many ...What would yoube “I’“I’mmt tryingrying out some Notbad for aman who Reading Series. differentbodies in many prepared to paytocheat ideas thathattd didnidn’t makemakeit it neverreallydecided to be Likeearlier works, differentcenturies, which this process if youcould into ““TThhee Bone Clocks,” afiction writer. “The Bone Clocks”—a makefor compelling back keep your youth, your Mitchell explains. “It “I would have sharp, reference to our mortal stories. health, your looksand could be susuppernaturalernatural visceral fantasies — bodies —isatime- There is no one thread this bottomless wewealthalth of again. MarinusMarinus will be imagine my name on the traveling supernatural Mitchell aims to unravel time?” in it.” coverofabook —but saga, in this instance in “The Bone Clocks.” And finally, Mitchell ‘The Bone Clocks’ Because Mitchell’s that’swhen Iwas young,” pitting twogroups of “Reality is much more says,when he showsthe By David Mitchell stories are so detailed, Mitchell says. immortals againsteach messythan that,” he differentstagesinHolly’s Random House, so thickwithsymbols “I don’tthink Iever other:Anchorites, who observes. life,hemustshowthe 640 pp., $30 and signs and processes did decidetobeawriter.I prey on living souls to Whichistosay,there worldindifferentstages, hatched by an inventive wasaware of the possi- extend their lives, and are manythreads. as well. That allows him mind, Iask if he has bility it wassomething I Atemporals, whose souls “I wasgreedy,”he to slip from the Swiss “A naddicted industrial groupies akin to Trekkies might liketotry.” naturallyinhabitnew laughs. “I wanted more Alps to the Australian society has fallen to its —readers whoreallyget bodies 50 days after their than one thread. Iwanted bush, from the worldwe knees,” Mitchell says. into the minutiae. maggie.galehouse@chron. currentbodies expire. akind of compendium knowtoaworld we can “The Bone Clocks” But“groupies” is the com Among this latter groups of all significanthuman onlyimagine. is Mitchell’s sixth novel is Marinus, awise man relationships: mother- By the end of “The and seventhbook.In and amajor character in daughter,father- Bone Clocks,” what 2013, he and his wife, “The Thousand Autumns daughter,sister-sister, civilized society now KeikoYoshida, released of JacobdeZoet.” aunt-niece,parent- takes for granted — atranslation of Naoki Theunderstory, parent, lover-lover, connectivity,technology, Higashida’s“TheReason though, follows the arc guardian-ward... These abundantfood from IJump,” an intimate of one mortal life: Holly are sort of basic elements anywhere around the journey into the mind Sykes, whom we meet in the periodic table of globe—isfastbecoming of autism. One of the in 1984 as ateenagerin human relationships.” adistantmemory. couple’s twochildren is the suburbs of London, He also wanted a As one of Mitchell’s autistic. and saygood-bye to on threadabout mortality. characters has predicted, All of Mitchell’s Ireland’s Sheep’sHead “There is this middle the future looksalot like novels except the first, peninsula in 2043. of your life point. Death the past. “Ghostwritten,” have

BOOK EVENTS SUNDAY 14532 Memorial; 281-497-8675 a.m.-5 p.m., South HoustonHigh or bluewillowbookshop.com. School, 3820 ShaverStreet; Susan Wittig Albert: Author tweensread.com. will discuss and sign “The Dar- WEDNESDAY Katie Clark and Sarah Wynne: ling Dahlias” and the “The Silver MerrittTierce: Author will dis- Authorswill read and discuss Dollar Bush,”2p.m. Murder By cuss and sign “Love Me Back,”7 “River Royals,” their picturebook TheBook, 2342Bissonnet; p.m., Brazos Bookstore. forchildren, 11 a.m. at the Big 713-524-8597,ortoll free Blue Whale, 237W.19th; 832- 888-424-2842ormurderbooks. THURSDAY 623-6990. com. BarbaraBarnes Sims: Author LibroFEST: HoustonPublic Chris Guillebeau: Author will will discuss and sign “The Next Library presentsinaugural discuss and sign “The Happi- Elvis: Searching forStardom poetRichardBlancoand ness of Pursuit,”2p.m., Brazos at SunRecords,”7p.m., Brazos National Book CriticsCircle’s Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet; Bookstore. Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achieve- 713-523-0701orbrazosbook- ment Award-winner Rolando store.com. FRIDAY Hinojosa,aspart of aday-long David Mitchell: Author will 1302 Heights, 832-393-1810 or festival celebrating Latino litera- houstonlibrary.org. Deborah Crombie: Author will discuss and sign “The Bone discuss and sign “ToDwell in tureand culture. Festival runs Clocks,”7:30 p.m. (doorsopen Harry Greene: Author will sign Darkness,”6:30 p.m., Murder By Noon-8:30 p.m. at the Central Library,500 McKinney; Blanco 6:45p.m.), Wortham Theater “Tracksand Shadows:Field TheBook. Center,501 Texas, as part of BiologyasArt,”following a and Hinojosa appear 6p.m. in Inprint’sMargarett Root Brown lectureentitled “Why Should MargotBackus: Author will the Julia IdesonBuilding, 550 Readng Series. $5. Information: We Care About Nature?”6:30 discuss and sign “Scandal MckKnney; 832-393-1313. Ad- inprinthouston.org. p.m., HoustonMuseum of Work: JamesJoyce,the New ditional authors, musicians and Natural Science, Wortham Giant Journalism and the Home Rule writing and artsactivitieswill be MONDAY Screen Theatre, 5555 Hermann Newspaper Wars,” 7p.m., Brazos part of aLibroFEST celebration Bookstore. from 12:45-5 p.m. at the Flores Melissa Guion: Author reads Park. $18; $12 HMNS members. Neighborhood Library,110 North from her children’s books“Baby Information: 713-639-4629or SATURDAY Milby; 832-393-1780. Penguins Everywhere!” and hmns.org. Tweens Read 2014: Tween “BabyPenguins Love Their TUESDAY Whit McClendon: Author and Mama,”and invites attendees reading event with appearances martial artsinstructorsigns fan- to create their ownpenguin Cynthia Kadohata: Author will by severalauthorsincluding tasy novel, “Mage’s Burden,”1-2 masterpieceswith provided discuss and sign her newnovel Jackie Woodson (“BrownGirl p.m., Katy Budget Books, 2450 art materials, noon-1p.m., forchildren, “HalfaWorldAway,” Dreaming”) and MargaretPeter- Fry,Houston; 281-578-7770or HeightsNeighborhood Library, 5p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop, sonHaddix (“The Living”), 9:30 katybooks.com.

G2 | Sunday, October 12, 2014 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xxx

ZEST Arts Editor, [email protected] @RobertaMacInnis HoustonChronicleLife&Entertainment Catastophic Theatre cancels premiere plans

Theshow, as every- “Sadly, after eight years Classical Theatre Com- and FrederickBaldwin one knows,mustgoon. together,we’vebroken pany, whichproduced its will join director Steven Except, of course,when it up,” Nodler says,“and 2013-14 season at the Barn Evans as curators. They’ve can’t. thatmakes collaborating (formerly Barnevelder), chosen atruly global Programming changes very difficult.” Cata- likelywill not be returning theme this time around: are as much apart of strophic hadproduced to thatvenue,according “Changing Circumstances: anycompany’slife as the worldpremieres of John- to Johnson. He says the Looking at the Future of productions themselves. son’s “A merican Falls,” companyisinnegotiations the Planet.” And we’reatthatpoint “Fleaven” and “clean/ to acquire itsown venue Expect exhibitions in the relatively young through.” for the company’s2014-15 and other programs that 2014-15 season when Catastrophic’snext productions, including “A involvenot justartists some theaters project, Nodler Christmas Carol,” open- but also environmental are announcing says,will be the ing Dec.9.“TheSpeckled experts, writers and policy changes for the ARTS worldpremiere Band,” TimothyN.Evers’ makers whowill explore near horizon — CITY of Mark Schultz’s newadaptation of the issues of climate change, specifically, two “The Blackest Arthur Conan Doylestory, population growth and showsthatwere Shore,” which is being rescheduled for a migration, globalized to playthis fall. will introduce Februaryopening. use of natural resources, Catastrophic The- Houston audiences to Craig Hartley EverettEvans capital and the impact of atre has canceled plans this emerging playwright Catastrophic Theatredirector Jason Noodler has can- newtechnologies. The for itsworld premiere when it opens Feb. 13. celed thepremiereofMiki Johnson’s “The Economist.” Next FotoFest six-week-long biennial of Miki Johnson’s “The Nodler,who has been puts alens on will unfold across multiple Economist,” whichwas to unable to direct most Asecond Schultz play changes —but in this case, venues and feature com- open Nov.21. Catastrophic of this year because of will be part of Catastroph- the production will be re- theworld missioned projects, afilm artistic director Jason debilitating treatmentfor ic’s2015 agenda, which scheduled. “The Speckled Guess they weren’t so program, aperforming Nodler,who wastodirect, chronic Lyme disease,is Nodler will announce Band: An Adventure of ready to retire after all. arts program and art- and Johnson, the play- sufficientlyrecovered and later this fall. SherlockHolmes,” which When FotoFestreturns istworkshops as well as wright,haveended their plans to direct “The Black- Classical Theatre wastobegin Oct. 15, is be- March12-April 29,2016, lectures and conferences. eight-year relationship. estShore.” Companyalso is making ing postponed. founders WendyWatriss Molly Glentzer Eisenbergsaysshe’s catching up on hundreds of years of reading

EisenbergfrompageG1 expressible in my ownmind. wrote ascreenplaytogether which, likemostscreenplays, Eisenberg’sfour short-story Q: When youteach, do you wasnever made.…And I collections were reprinted sharecertain strategies for performed in his play, “The in 2010 as “The Collected writingorunderstanding Designated Mourner,” one of Stories of Deborah Eisenberg,” fiction? the greatthrills of my life. whichwon the Pen/Faulkner A: Iwould sayit’simpos- Award for Fiction. Arecipient sible to extrapolate rules or Q: “Twilight of theSuper- of aMacArthur Foundation principles. Idon’t believe thata heroes,” your story abouta “genius” fellowship and the reallygood piece of fiction can handfulofpeople livingin ReaAward for the Short Story, be cracked. That is, youcan New York duringand after Eisenberg, 68, also teaches articulate certain principles 9/11,articulatesanera of creative writing and literature thatyou infer,but they’re never confusion and decline.Did in Columbia’sMFA program. reallycorrect. That’s an apriori youwritethe story withany wayoflooking at fiction. Of clear sense of what youwere Q: Youtold theParis course,you can see or saycer- tryingtosay aboutthe attack Reviewthatyou sense a tain things, but youcan’t learn on thetwin towers? condescension toward short to replicate anybody’swork. A: Ididn’t intend to write a fiction, as if it were “a kiddie Yo u’dneed asoul transplant storyabout what we call 9/11. I form, appropriate to women, for that. So really, the reason hate thatterm. Ifind it appall- as if stories were theequiva- to readwithclose attention is ing.Itsort of institutionalizes a lentofknittingsocks for simplyfor the sheer aesthetic certain attitudeofjustification themen, whoare outinthe thrill of taking awalk through for crimes thatwe’vesubse- mines, actuallydoing some- somebody’sbrain. And of quentlycommitted, terrible thing.”Did Alice Munro’s course,reading.One thinks, oh crimes both againstourselves Diana Michener NobelPrize in 2013 do any- yes, youlearn to readinsecond and others. It’s averypomp- Deborah Eisenbergcelebratedwithpartner Wallace Shawn thingtoelevate short fiction grade.But actuallyit’salifelong ous piece of rhetoric.Idid start afterwinningthe 2011 Penn/Faulkner Award forFiction. in theliterary hierarchy? process —the refining of your to keep notes. Iwas afraid A: Certainlyitdoesn’t change attention to and appreciation thatmyown understanding And it’s the empire Igrewupin and lots of fun, but Ihad this what Ithink about it.Ialways for the waywords can be used. of what washappening —of and, of course,haveallegiance very odd experience.For “The thought short fiction was what hadhappened, aprocess to,whether it’s conscious or Designated Mourner”Ihad an possiblyamore serious form Q: Youwere26when you thatevennow has not really not. That’s my world, which extremelybig part. Reallyhuge. than longer fiction, although metyour lifepartner,Wal- been revealed —would become has undergone vast and sudden Asolid hour of text. ButIhad it’s ridiculous to dividefiction lace Shawn, aplaywright and confused and subject to the con- alterations and disruptions. no trouble with it at all. And because there’s justone piece of actor bestknown for“My struction thatone automatically then Ihad one line for “Gossip fiction and another,and each is Dinner With Andre,”“The puts on memories. Ireallytried Q: Youappeared in an Girl.” Ihad aweek to learn it.I as serious —or not —asitis. Princess Bride” and his play, to keep some record of what I episodeof“Gossip Girl”as suppose it wasasort of hys- “The DesignatedMourner.” wasseeing as Iwas seeing it. yourself.Ican’t think of teria. Isimplycould not learn Q: Do youstayplugged Do youbenefit from having Over along period of time,it manyshows in whichyou’d thatline.The scene Iwas in was into fiction trends?Doyou another creative brain in the became amatter for me thatI be less likely to appear! very complicated with azillion ever writefor what themar- house? wanted to explore in fiction. A: Isn’t thathilarious?It extras —achallengetodirect. ketseems to want? A: It’s absolutelywonderful It wasasort of elegytome, a wasthe idea of one of the writ- When it came time for my line, A: I’mreallynot aware of to live with him. He has agreat consideration of agreataltera- ers on the show and it just, I with the greatestdifficulty I the publishing or business side brain. Acertifiablygreatbrain. tion in our national attitudes, think it amused her.I’m not managedtodredgeitupinto of literature at all. Inever have He’s justthe mostwonder- our feelingsabout ourselves an actor;Iactuallyprefer the my consciousness. After it was anyideawhat’sgoing on. Idon’t ful and generous person. He’s and the waywesee ourselves. word actress, Imustsay.But over, the director said, “Excuse readreviews.Idon’t makeany always my firstreader. Ishow That groupofstories (“Twilight I’mnot one.Ihad seen acouple me,but youforgottosay ‘I’m attempt to keep up.I’m try- him my work when Ibelieve of the Superheroes” also is the episodes thatWallace wason Deborah Eisenberg.’The only ing to catch up.I’m literally thatIamabsolutelyfinished. title of acollection of stories (Shawn appeared in the recur- part of it Iforgotwas my own hundreds of years behind. I’m ButIdon’t show him my work Eisenbergpublished in 2007), ring role of lawyer CyrusRose). name. justinterested in discovering in progress —atleastIdon’t they tend to collect around a I’mnot abig TV person. Idon’t what fiction can do and what is think it’s in progress. We once feeling of the end of empire. likethe sound, even. It waslots [email protected] Join uS For on Stage alaSka Featuring Stunning Film Footage experttravel advice Show-onlyBeneFitS

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DINING OUTSOCIETY DIARIES BALLET STARSALIGN BIG EVENTS BARD BARRE Weightsand Measures was Former President George Stanton Welchdebuts “meant to be”sayschef/ W. Bush entertains at an his take on Shakespeare’s owner. Page G10 exclusivedinner. Page G14 ‘Romeoand Juliet.’ Page G2

GRAY MATTERS CLASSICAL MUSIC LeonardNimoy’s Symphony Mr.Spock wasone of pops the most counterculture conductor hasbig plans figures of the 1960s. for final years in Houston.

HoustonChronicle.com/GrayMatters ZEST Page G14

HoustonChronicle @HoustonChron Houston Chronicle | Sunday, March 1, 2015 |HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com Section G 666 Ishiguro on war, forgetfulness and cowboys In 1987,Kazuo Ishiguro the Day,” haunting newbook —his Kazuo holed up in his South aBooker firstnovelin10years — Ishiguro London home and wrote Prize- hadalonger gestation. maniacally—not caring winning “A smuchas15years Theauthor will read and about styleorfiner plot book that back, Iwanted to write discuss his work as aguest points, writing freehand brought about society’sremem- of Inprint’sMargarett Root as fast as the words and MAGGIE him inter- bering and forgetting,” BrownReading Series. GALEHOUSE phrases came. national said Ishiguro,60, on the When: 7:30 p.m. March 23 He wrote 12 hours a Bookish acclaim and phone from his home in day, six days aweek,for became an England. “Itwas triggered Where: Wortham Theater Center,501 Texas four weeks. And when Oscar-nominated film. by what happened in the Columbia Pictures he finished, hedafi ha rst “The Buried Giant,” 1990s, when Yugoslavia Tickets: $5; “The Remains of theDay,” based on Ishiguro’snovel, draft of “The Remains of Ishiguro’s strangeand Bookish continuesonG6 inprinthouston.org. starsEmma Thompson and AnthonyHopkins.

Gary Coronado photos /HoustonChronicle

Bootsand ahat just By JoySewing have for rodeo. Fringeand feathers have ap- aren’t going to cutitat ForRodeoHouston, more is peared in designers’ ready-to-wear more when it comes to style. collections and at retailers from RodeoHouston, as any “Everyone wantsthe flow-y look Palais Royaland Macy’stospecial- cowgirl worth her salt of feathers and fringe,”Waller de- ty stores likePinto Ranch, which signer Pat Dahnkesays. “We’ve sells Dahnke’scollection, and the knows.Add some addedthem to our pieces and newLucchese store in Highland have hadthe mostsuccess- Village. fringe, feathers STYLE ful collection in our 47-year “Fringehas been astaple in history.” Western wear.Now,it’sonthe and turquoise, Thecasual-chic look has runway,and there are even boots and you’ve gotthe mass appeal, shesays. “A ny- with fringe,”saysBea Garcia, Pinto one can buyone ‘wow’piece Ranch’sdirector of marketing.“We start of afriendship and mix it in.” started seeing it in stores lastsea- Above, Lucchese Parker cross bodybag,$1,295, Dahnkedesigns beaded, custom- son. It seems likeanelementevery Lucchese.Top,Taylor Hammonds of Neal Hamil betweenfashion and dyed tops embellished with Coque designer is doing.” Agency is wearinga4Love&Liberty top, $255; Western sensibilities rooster feathers. Shetops the looks Garcia says sheevensnapped Juan Antonio Belt,$249; Lucchese Saratoga Boots, off with turquoise,another must- Rodeo continuesonG9 $1,295; all from Lucchese in Highland Village. G6 | Sunday, March 1, 2015 | Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com xxx

ZEST Book Editor, [email protected] @MaggieGalehouse HoustonChronicleLife&Entertainment BOOKS

BOOK EXCERPT Bookish: ‘Giant’ crosses genres Lisa McMann will discuss and sign “Island of Shipwrecks” Bookish from page G1 ing out little words here and (Unwanteds Series, No. there,and Irather liked it,” he 5), 5p.m. Thursday, Blue and Rwanda disintegrated into said. WillowBookshop, 14532 horrific civil wars. In both cases, Thebook’s diction does have a Memorial; 281-497-8675or people whohad been living very stripped-awayquality —aspare bluewillowbookshop.com. harmoniously,sometimes next formality reminiscentofafairy door to each other,turned on tale. each other and massacred each Ishiguro said he’s grateful for other.SoIhad astoryinmy his wife’s truth telling. head, but it took me along time “She knewmebefore Iwas to find asuitable setting.” awriter,” the author said. “She Setting is astepping-off point met me when Iwas trying to in all of Ishiguro’s books. Acare- be amusician. Because we’ve ful and subtle writer,helures hadsomanydiscussions and readers into the realm of plausi- arguments about booksand bility —his 2005 cloning novel movies, Iknowwhere we tend “Never LetMeGo” wasset in an to disagree and agree.And we alternative dystopian 1990s Eng- agree about language.” land —and once they’re snared, MacDougall also has set aside he’s free to focus on the more acopy of LarryMcMurtry’s timeless troubles of humanity. “Lonesome Dove”for her In “The Remains of the Day,” husband to read. Ishiguro considered the person- “There it is in the bedroom,” al costofobsessive professional- Ishiguro said. “She says it’s an ism. In “Never LetMeGo,”he utter masterpiece.” “Whatdid he look examined the slow destruction In December,Ishiguro wrote of hope.In“TheBuried Giant,” an essayfor the Guardian like?” growled the he contemplates the pros and explaining howFrancis old pirate captain cons of collective forgetfulness Ford Coppola’sfilm “The —inamarried couple and in Conversation”and TomWaits’ with hooksfor society at large. ballad“Ruby’s Arms” influenced Thenew book is set in late- “The Remains of the Day.” hands.Heslammed fifth-centuryBritain, when set- Does “The Buried Giant” have one of thehookson tlers were arriving in shipsfrom asound track? Or afilm track? the North Sea. Several genres are “Those elegaic westerns by thetable in front represented, including Arthu- Sam Peckinpah,” Ishiguro said. rian legend (anagedSir Gawain “The lone figure on the horse, of theslave,and rides in on his aged horse), fairy out of time,his era passed. He’s it made agarish tales (dragons and giants)and aging,but he still has some Britishhistory. martial skill. Gawain owesalot clang.“Whois “I haditinmymind it was Jeff Cottenden to those characters.” 490 A.D.—aperiod no one real- Kazuo Ishiguro Thesamurai stories he grew responsible?” ly knows about,” Ishiguro said. up with also crept into “The Bur- Daxelsaidnothing. “Itwas trulyadarkcentury. They’ve weathered through iedGiant.” TheSaxons basicallysettled the something,and they’ve agreed “That’sthe Japanese part of He couldn’tspeak. countryaround this time.And to buryit. Butisthatright? me,Iguess,” Ishiguro said. “But the general consensus is there Does there come apoint when a Ilikethe anti-samurai movies, None of theslaves wassome sort of genocide, with society or amarried couple need the anti-militaristmovies made that thepirates newpeople landing steadilyon to remember?” after WorldWar II.” the coast, coming in from the Ironically, it wasIshiguro’s And does he ever wonder had boughtfrom European mainland.” longtime partner,Lorna if “Downton Abbey” —now Despite the historical specif- MacDougall, whoreadadraft muddling throughthe 1920s theirfriend Queen ics, Ishiguro’s book retreats into of the book’s first60pages and —will simplycrash-land into Eagala could speak. akind of fantastic realism. returned it with some pointed “The Remains of the Day?”If “Mysettingstend to be meta- advice. Mr.Stevens and Miss Kenton, But Daxelcould phorical,” said the author,who “She told me it would not playedbyAnthonyHopkins and wasborn in Japan and moved do,” said Ishiguro,who’s been Emma Thompson in the film, write,and the to England as aboy.“Idid have married to MacDougall since will suddenlyfind themselves pirates knewit. arule: If it wasconceivable that ‘The Buried Giant’ 1986.“Shesaid, ‘There’s no downstairs at Downton, the people of thattime could By Kazuo Ishiguro. way. Yo u’re going to have to enjoying acup of tea with Mr. Still, he staredat believe certain thingsexisted, Knopf,320 pp., $26.95. start again from scratch.’ It was Carson and Mrs. Hughes? those thingswere allowedtoex- because of the language, which “I’ve neverwatched themap andthe ist. So,noflying saucers.” shefelt wastoo ornate.She ‘Downton Abbey,’”Ishiguro blank piecesof Warisinthe air in “The Arthur to slay ashe-dragon; thought it waslaughable.” acknowledged. “I’mreallybad Buried Giant,” and something and Beatrice and Axl, an elderly It took Ishiguro abit of time with television. Ican’t watchone paper in front else about the air makes people couple whohaveset out on a to recoverfrom this critique.He episodeand leave it for aweek. forgetful. Thecastincludesa perilous journey to help them wrote “Nocturnes,” his 2009 If Ihavetowatch atelevision of himand shook brave knight named Wistan; a remember their past. short storycollection. When series, Idoitwithabox set and I his head. young knight named Edwin, “Manyofthe same questions he went back to “The Buried watchitinone day. I’mgoing to bentonavenging his mother’s we askabout societies applyto Giant,” he began simplifying the do thatwith‘Downton Abbey.’” from “Island of Shipwrecks” death; Gawain, asolitary relationships,” Ishiguro said. language. by Lisa McMann knight chargedbythe late King “Mosthavetheir darkcorners. “I started to subtract by tak- [email protected]

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xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Sunday, April 19,2015 | G5 ZEST

BOOK EVENTS SUNDAY Crimson RomanceAuthor Author wrapsJamaican truths Signing: AuthorsKaren Sue Burns, Andrea R. Cooper, NicoleFlockton, Elizabeth Meyetteand Shelley K. Wall in symphonyoffictional voices will sign their books, 3-5 p.m., Katy Budget Books, 2450 Fry, Houston; 281-578-7770or Marlon James’ latestnovelis Jamaican village held hostage American culture. katybooks.com. aJamaican symphony, asea of by aspiritual feud between two American TV washugely MONDAY distinct and unforgettable voices. preachers in the 1950s. “The popular. “A Brief HistoryofSeven Book of NightWomen”(2009), “Growing up in the ’70s,” he Cristina Henríquez and Marlon James: Killings” wraps fiction around set on aJamaican sugar planta- says,“youwere raised by ‘Sesa- Henríquez(“The Book of one historical fact: the attempted tion at the turn of the 19th cen- me Street,’ ‘The Muppet Show,’ Unknown Americans”) and assassination of BobMarley in tury, wonthe Dayton Literary ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ ‘Starsky and Marlon James(“A Brief Kingston, Jamaica, on Dec.3, PeacePrize. Hutch.’ ” History of SevenKillings”) will 1976. James thought “A Brief His- At the same time,the British discuss and sign their books Thefirsthalf of the saga toryofSeven Killings” would be empire wasever-present. Al- as part of Inprint’sMargarett Root BrownReading Series, circles this incident, imagining anoirnovella, until aclose friend thoughJamaica gained indepen- 7:30 p.m, Wortham Theater the gang members and schem- set him straight. dence from Britain in 1962,the Center,501 Texas. $5 general ers who, wittingly or unwit- “I kept writing more char- island’s education system in the admission. Information: tingly,might have been part of acters,” said the author,who 1970sstill groomed children to be inprinthouston.org. this politicallychargedevent. teaches at Macalaster College. colonial subjects of the queen. TUESDAY Thesecond half reaches beyond “I kept dancing around the Bob “I can layonthe straight Ja- Kingston to MontegoBay,Miami Marley event. And Ihit adead maican standard English,” James KarenKasmauski: and NewYork, up throughthe end. Isaid, ‘I don’tknowwhose Author appearance laughs. “One aspect of it,wedrop National Geographic early 1990s. storythis is.’ And my friend adverbsanywhere we want.” photographer and co- Marlon Jameswill appear with “A big book is almost Rachel said, ‘Why do you He pauses, thinking of an author of “Nurse:AWorld author Cristina Henríquez(“The likeadouble album,” think it’s one person’s example: “Stop wastefully using of Care,” will sign 5-7p.m., Book of Unknown Americans”) as River Oaks Bookstore, 3270 says James, 44, whose story?’When wasthe last the water,” he says. part of Inprint’sMargarett Root Westheimer; 713-520-0061or accentbelies his native time youread‘As ILay One of the biggest influences BrownReading Series riveroaksbookstore.com. Jamaica, althoughhe’son Dying?’” on “A Brief HistoryofSeven Kill- the phone from Minne- The1970s Jamaica When: 7:30 p.m. Monday ings,” wasJames Ellroy’sclassic sota, where he nowlives. thatJames describes in Where: Wortham TheaterCenter, crime novel, “A merican Tabloid” “Yougive yourself abig MAGGIE his novelisteeming with 501 Texas (1995). canvastotry things. And GALEHOUSE civil unrest. Thecon- Tickets: $5; inprinthouston.org “I wanted to knowhow to tell even if it fails some- Bookish servative Jamaica Labor astoryinanexpansive waybut where,well, another 300 Party clashes with the still have it guided by voice and pagesare coming along.” communist-friendlyPeople’s familyisshe locks them up,and guided by people in the margins,” This attitudesquares with one National Party and endless turf he takes them out.” James explains. “The whole idea of the more memorable asides in battles eruptonthe street. As achild, James also wit- of agreatAmerican novelisalu- the book: “Jamaicans are so un- “This wasatime when the nessed an explosion of Jamaican dicrous idea we have to getover, flappable,” James writes, “they average election hadhundreds culture. but if youwere to blackmail me, might as well be Minnesotans.” of people being killed,” James “Jamaican arts, dance,litera- I’dsay it’s ‘A merican Tabloid.’” Reading “A Brief Historyof says.“Ahugebodycount. It was ture developed itsown aesthet- James is on a“slight”writing SevenKillings” —nearly 700 averytribalistkingdom. It was ic,” the author says.“Thething break now, but he’s researching WEDNESDAY pagesand acastofcharacters still about territory. Whoever about reggae, it reclaimed patois, his next book.Afantasy. Henry (Hank) Paulson north of 70 —ischallenging and controls this territorycontrols dialect.” “I love Thor and Zeus, but Jr.: Author and fFormer intense.Each chapter is told in Kingston. Whoeverintimidates In some ways,James’ child- I’mkind of tired of European Treasury Secretary will first-person; chapter headers tell Kingston intimidates Jamaica.” hood wasanaggregation of mythology,”the author says.“I’m discuss his book, “Dealing readers who’stalking.Some- James wasjust6years old Jamaican, reading about Sub-Saharan my- with China,”inconversation times itit’s’s aCa CIAIA ststationation chchiefief in when thugs with guns busted British thology and religion and history. with Ambassador Edward Kingston. Sometimes it’sit’s the don into Marley’s home and started and The research is so crazy. Court Djerejian, 6p.m., Asia Society TexasCenter,1370 of aJa Jamaicanamaican gang unspooling a shooting. This was only two days dramas, kings, princes, politi- Southmore. $30; $20 thick, stream-of-consciousness stream-of-consciousness before “the Singer” — as Mar- cal intrigue — and mix that members. Information: 713- patois. Sometimes itit’s’s the ghghosostt ley is called in the novel — was with monsters and ogres 496-9901 or asiasociety.org/ of ada deadeadp politician.olitician. Sometimes scheduled to appear at a massive and giants.” texas. aRa Rollingolling StStoneone reporter... and free concert. Marley was injured Long story short, Ryan Gattis: the lislisttg goesoes on. OnlOnlyyo onene vovoiicece in the attack, but he performed he quips, he’s look- Author will discuss speakspeakssatat at a time,ime,b butut the vovoiicesces anyway. All that’s in the book. ing to write an and sign “All Involved,” come together in yoyourur head. James grew up in a Jamaican African “Game of 7p.m., Brazos Bookstore, Yo u’re ststillill thinking aboutabout whawhatt household where crime and poli- Thrones.” 2421 Bissonnet; 713-523-0701 the gang member said —“— “It’sIt’s a tics were discussed openly. or brazosbookstore.com. hell of ata thinghing whwhenen aga gunun come “Because Jamaica is small,” maggie. THURSDAY home to live with yoyou”u” —b— butut the author explained, “you can’t galehouse@ Connor Franta: nonowwy youou’rere readingeading ada draftraft of really escape it. And both my chron.com Author will meet fans as they the American journalist’journalist’sss stortory: parents are police. My mom’s receivepre-signedcopiesof “The ThThirdird WorldWorlds slummisa is a a detective. My dad left “Work in Progress,”6p.m., nightmare thathattd defiesefies beliefs or the force to become Blue Willow Bookshop, facts, eveveenn the ones ststaringaring right a lawyer. The 14532 Memorial; 281-497- at you.” joke in my 8675 or bluewillowbookshop. com. Theie individualndividual vovoiicesces pile upup and before youyouk knownowi it,t, youyou’’vvee Kevin Prufer and stepped insidinsidee2 20th-centur0th-centuryy Michael Morse: Poetswill Jamaica, whwhereere rivalgl gangangss read from their works, 7p.m., Brazos Bookstore. compete for turf and power, where garbage piles up, Author Marlon James FRIDAY electricity is spottyspotty,,a andnd Chase Untermeyer: curfecurfewwism is mandatorandatory. Author and former U.S. It’s asymphony ambassador to Qatarwill sign of language, blood, “Inside Reagan’s Navy: The brains, piss, music, Pentagon Journals,”5-7 p.m., deathand dreams. River Oaks Bookstore. “A Brief History

Duane Swierczynski of SevenKillings” Jeffr and Dennis Tafoya:

is James’ third ey Swierczynski will sign and bookbook..H Hisis first, “John Skemp discuss “Canary”and Tafoya will sign and discuss “The Crow’Crow’ssD Devil”evil”( (2005),2005), Poor Boy’sGame,” 6:30 p.m., tells the storyofa Murder By TheBook, 2342 Bissonnet; 713-524-8597,or toll-free 888-424-2842or murderbooks.com.

James Bradley: Author will discuss and sign “The China Mirage,”7p.m., Brazos Bookstore. Gwendolyn Zepeda: Poet readsfromher new collection, “Monsters, Zombiesand Addicts,” 7:30 p.m., MECA Dow School Auditorium, 1900 Kane; 713-802-9370.

SATURDAY

JoyPreble: Author will discuss and sign her newest novelfor teens, “Finding Paris,”2p.m., Blue Willow Bookshop. Terry Shames and James Anderson: Shameswill sign and discuss “The Last Deathof Jack Harbin”and Anderson will sign and discuss “The Never-Open Desert Diner,” 4:30 p.m., Murder By The Book.

Maggie Galehouse

xxx Houston Chronicle | HoustonChronicle.com and chron.com | Sunday, May 10, 2015 | G5 ZEST

REVIEW Geoff Dyer finds inspiration at sea

Writer gains appreciation book doesn’t merit being spoken of in the same breath. In a sense, I was for the military while adamant to avoid that sort of immersion working on latest novel reporting by refusing to share a room. For me, it was a highly unusual pleasure By Maggie Galehouse cruise.

EOFF Dyer’s writing is Q: There are endless literary widely, wildly omnivorous. references throughout, to Albert An Englishman who Camus, William Cowper, W. H. lives in Venice Beach, Calif., Auden ... though my favorite GDyer has penned four is a phrase that invokes Joan novels and several genre-defying books Didion: “I’d ended up feeling on topics ranging from jazz to film to less conspicuous on the boat, not travel. His particular literary cocktail is Didionly invisible but more at ease a heady mix of innocence, observation and confident around the people I and wit, offset by a bracing dash of self- ran into every day.” deprecation. A: Those writers are part of my “A tourist with a notebook,” he calls circuitry, part of my bloodstream really. himself. They helped me make sense of what was Dyer’s collection of essays, going on. The experience of looking at “Otherwise Known as the Human a great expanse of water is inherently Condition” (2011), won the National meditative. Particularly striking is the Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. hugeness of the ocean compared to the “A nother Great Day at Sea” (2014), his claustrophobic atmosphere on the boat. latest book, recounts two weeks he spent aboard a busy aircraft carrier with Matt Stuart Q: At one point you meet with the U.S. Navy. Dyer never says exactly Geoff Dyer the captain’s cook, whose previous where he was, but it’s a 40-minute flight experience with journalists — she from Bahrain. Author appearance was miffed when one article claimed Currently teaching at the Michener she was making baked halibut when, Geoff Dyer will appear as part of the Center for Writers at the University of in fact, the halibut was fried — has Margarett Root Brown Reading Series, Texas at Austin, Dyer, 56, appears in been unpleasant. You tell her: “I 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wortham Theater Houston on Monday as the final guest of feel I have to say at the outset that Center, 500 Texas. $5 general admission. Inprint’s 2014-15 Margarett Root Brown facts are not my strong point ... To Doors open 6:45 p.m. Information: Reading Series. be perfectly honest, strong points inprinthouston.org. are not my strong points.” So I have Q: By my reckoning, you were to ask: As a writer, what are your an outsider several times over on strong points? the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft A: Many bits of my books are funny, carrier. You’re English. You’re a but there’s also kind of a tendency to go civilian. You’re in your 50s, which, into the metaphysical aspect of things. A as you note in the book, is old for quasi-philosophic thing. I would never the people serving on the ship. want to be described as a comic writer. And you’re tall, which means the It’s so limiting. I hope my humor in no threat of bumping your head in a way cauterizes my ability to find things passageway was ever-present. Was moving. There were so many people I this sort of compound otherness a came across on the carrier who were so good vantage point from which to admirable, even if I was at ideological report? loggerheads with them. A: I love feeling like I belong, and America is famous for how many people Q: And you also came away with a want to belong here and how quickly profound respect for what we might that process of assimilation occurs. call a military “attitude.” Generally speaking, I knew I was going A: In the military, you’ve just got to like being on the ship. It was a sort to suck it up. It’s raining and you’re of concentration of America. I think it’s soaking wet? Yo u still have to do your hard to imagine the life these sailors job. Yo ur best friend had his arms blown are leading, which is so completely the ‘Another Great Day at Sea’ off? Yo u’ve still got to do it. I have really opposite of mine. My self-discipline is become a believer in the idea of sucking indistinguishable from self-indulgence. By Geoff Dyer. it up. There are so many books of reportage Knopf Doubleday, 208 pp., about journalists being embedded. My $15.95 paperback. [email protected]