1. JUNE 4, 2 PM. I will moderate a discussion (moderate makes this sound as if a fight will break out, but I assure you, all will be civil) with Benjamin Hale: The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore, and Laurence Gonzales: Lucy . You won’t see my name in the program for this one because this is a last-minute addition. I just received the books yesterday, and I am devouring Hale’s book, which is smart and riotous—and how dare this kid, who just graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, write such a brilliant book that reminds me of A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, which I love?
2. JUNE 5, 1 PM. I will interview Frank Cicero: Relative Strangers: Italian Protestants in the Catholic World and Jon Cavallero: Hollywood’s Italian American Filmmakers. These are two great books, both personal in their own ways. Cicero has done what many have dreamed of doing: he has trekked back to his homeland and pieced together the tapestry of his family’s history. The main question that arises for me: were people of previous generations simply tougher? Cavallero examines the work of Capra, Scorcese, Savoca, Coppoloa, and Tarantino. Two of these I would have never labeled Italian American directors, but Cavallero makes an intriguing case for that, showing how one’s background becomes integral to the work one produces.
I mentioned Jean Thompson in a previous post. I’m in the middle of her intimate novel about a family in Iowa, The Year We Left Home, which is exquisite—there are quiet gems on every page—but I’ve had to put that aside to get ready for the weekend. Anyway, she will be at Lit Fest on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Here’s a complete schedule: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/printersrowlitfest/
If you make it down, stop and say Hey.