Can Russo Be Wrong?
Christine
Lehner’s and Nicholas Rinaldi’s new books are both blessed
with terrific blurbs by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Richard Russo (Empire
Falls). “Christine Lehner’s What to Wear to See the Pope is
perhaps the most haunting, idiosyncratic, gleefully subversive, and satisfying
story collection I've read since Isak Dinesen’s Seven Gothic Tales.” Of
Rinaldi’s work: “Between Two Rivers is a masterpiece, a book that
will take your breath away.”
But
don’t take Russo’s word for it! Come laugh at Lehner’s “strained but loving”
Codwell family in stories narrated by the “fraught and schizoid” Ursula,
who was raised as a Belgian Catholic, is married to a Unitarian, and lives
in a town not unlike Hastings. Travel with Rinaldi to a luxury condominium
building called Echo Terrace in lower Manhattan where, Rinaldi explains,
“the experience of one character will mirror that of another, with echoes
reverberating in motivation, action, theme, attitude, setting, and time”
and where the concierge, Farro Fescu, a Rumanian refugee, sees and knows
all.
Lehner’s previous book is Expecting (1983, New Directions). Her new story collection is by Carroll & Graf. HarperCollins published Rinaldi's latest and two previous novels, The Jukebox Queen of Malta and Bridge Fall Down. He teaches literature and creative writing at Fairfield University (CT).
All readings include a question & answer period and a reception with books by the author(s) for sale.
Suggested Donation: $5 ($3 for HVWC members and those under age 18)
The readings at the HVWC are made possible in part by a grant from the Bydale Foundation; the David G. Taft Foundation; the Orchard Foundation; and the Thendara Foundation; with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts; and by Westchester Arts Council with funds from Westchester County Government, corporations and individuals.