I was fortunate enough to attend the Michigan Authors Homecoming last night at the Wharton Center in East Lansing on MSU's campus. Was I glad I went. Seeing and listening to Jim Harrison, Thomas McGuane and Richard Ford talk about their experiences as writers was nothing short of inspirational. Unbelievable and historic, to have three of the nation's most celebrated authors, and Michigan State graduates, on the same stage. The three are good friends, and it was apparent in the way they played off each other. Harrison didn't disappoint with bawdy sexual banter and stories of Hollywood. McGuane was polished and very witty, telling hilarious stories of flyfishing adventures and his time at MSU. And Ford was a southern gentleman with a cutting wit and self deprecating way about him--I'm eager to read his book, The Sportswriter, the first of his famous Bascombe trilogy.
Afterwards, I was able to get Harrison to sign his Memoir, and got him to mumble something about our mutual friend and owner of Dog Ears Books, Pamela Grath: "Arrr, a lovely woman. How's she putting up with that husband of hers?" Delightful. McGuane was gracious as was Ford, signing my copies of Gallatin Canyon and The Sportswriter, respectively. What a night.
1 comment:
Sounds just like that old trouble-maker, Jim! Glad you had the opportunity, Joe. Reminds me of the time Jim was on the same stage with Robert Traver (and that's the pen name), author of ANATOMY OF A MURDER. They were like a couple of bull elephants competing for territory, but I recall the outcome as a tie.
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