On Saturday, April 23rd, we will be featuring Elizabeth Crane, about whose work the New York Times said, "[Hers is} a distinctive and eccentric voice that is consistent and riveting." Her new book is called THE HISTORY OF GREAT THINGS, and focuses on a really interesting conceit: a mother tells (or imagines, more precisely) her daughter's life; the daughter does the same with her mother's. Think: if you were to tell your mother's life, complete with her innermost feelings, how would you tell it? What would you say? Do you think that in the telling you would come to understand things about her --and maybe you, too--that you had not known before? Elizabeth Crane is one of those writers who has you laughing one minute and wanting to cry the next. AND she's a genuinely nice person, and so much fun to talk to. Plus, not that this matters, but I love her sense of fashion. She's the type to wear those vintage sweaters that make you want to wear them too. And great glasses!
This event will feature a lovely space, as usual, a kid essayist as warm-up act, as usual, and food and wine, as usual. Maybe Val Camiletti from Val's Halla will make another one of her awesome CDs to be raffled off. The theme of the food will be Mom Food, how could it not be? I myself will be contributing my mom's recipe for macaroni and cheese and her recipe for "Easter Potatoes," both of which are so good they make you want to pound the floor.
As in all WRITING MATTERS events, proceeds from the $10 charge will go toward buying books for elementary school libraries in need.
"[T]his is an important work, fearless in both structure and vision, with Crane's razor-edge fusion of intelligence, humor, and emotion informing every chapter. Get ready, world: this one's going to be huge." (Jamie Quatro, author of I Want to Show You More)
"I cannot remember the last time I simultaneously cried and laughed as hard as I did while reading Elizabeth Crane's glorious, tender knockout of a novel, The History of Great Things. Wait, yes I can. It was the last time I spoke to my mom about life." (Amber Tamblyn, author of Dark Sparkler)
"Like everything Elizabeth Crane writes, The History of Great Things is wonderful fun to read-smart, insightful, and witty-but it will break your heart, too. It stares down the poignant question so many daughters want to ask: How well did my mother really know me?" (Pamela Erens, author of Eleven Hours and The Virgins)
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LocationArts Center of Oak Park / The Ernest Hemingway Museum (View)
200 N. Oak Park Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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