I thought I had read Thomas Wolfe, but it turns out I haven’t.
That didn’t stop me from going to see the movie Genius, which details the publication of Wolfe’s first two novels, and his relationship with his editor Max Perkins.
Jude Law’s Wolfe is a loud, melodramatic Southerner, self-involved yet low in self-esteem. Colin Firth as Perkins is his solid, steady opposite, the voice of reason who, despite his better judgment, is drawn to Wolfe’s charm and bravado.
I expected the movie to focus on their editorial process, and it does. But instead of passing any judgments on Wolfe as a writer, it celebrates their relationship – – more like a father and son than editor and writer.
Both of their families suffered at times from their single-mindedness, but no one more than Wolfe himself.
I now have Wolfe’s first book Look Homeward, Angel on hold at the library. I suppose I was charmed as well.
Overbooked
I was very excited to attend today BookCon at Javits Center, the publishing conference for us non-industry folk.
The organizers had put together a great schedule of panel discussions, author appearances and book signings, and had even created a designated BookCon show floor separate from the BEA Expo, the industry event that has been going on all week.
But then they oversold it. A lot, a lot.
There were so many people trying to get into the show that security had to limit the people who could enter each half hour. People (like me) missed events because they weren’t allowed in due to traffic congestion.
The feed on the BookCon app was filled with derogatory comments from disappointed fans, many of whom had traveled hours to attend. I realized fairly quickly that we had all been ‘conned’ and left.
Manhattan was right outside, and can be fairly entertaining.
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Posted in Books, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Travel
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