Speed the Plow

Another David Mamet play seemed a fitting read as I’m currently taking his MasterClass online. I’d seen Speed the Plow performed  at the Remains Theater in 1987, with William Peterson in the lead.

The play is a satire of show business. Charlie Fox brings a movie deal consisting of a hot star and a blockbuster-type script to his long time buddy, Bobby Gould, who’s career is on fire since he’s gotten a promotion. He’s got till 10 am the next morning to get a producer to agree to make it. So he trusts his pal to make the deal, which will earn them boat-loads of money.

They talk about the business and their careers.  They dream of what they’ll do after this life-changing film is released. In the background a temp secretary bungles along with the phone system. Eventually, she comes into the office and winds up having to read a far-fetched novel as a “courtesy read” meaning she’s to write a summary of a book that’s not going to be adapted to film.

After she leaves the office, the men make a bet, a bet that Bobby Gould, whom Karen is working for, will succeed in seducing her. Karen’s not in on this but she agrees to go to Gould’s house to discuss the book she’s to summarize.

Karen finds the book about the end of the world life-changing. Like many 20-something’s She’s swept up by its message. What’s worse, when she goes to Gould’s house she convinces him to make the crazy book into a film and to leave his pal in the dust. The book and play are brisk and, as you’d expect, contain rapid-fire dialog. I enjoyed this book, but can see how some would find problems with Mamet’s portrayal of women. I think he portrays Hollywood quite realistically.

 

A Great Loss: Bookman’s Alley to Close

Evanston and the North Shore in general is about to lose a treasure, Bookman’s Alley. Bookman’s Alley is a delightful used bookstore with lots of charm. It’s a place where you can wander and browse and find literary gems you never expected.

Tucked down an alley in downtown Evanston, Roger Carlson, Bookman’s Alley’s owner, who always looked like a character, left advertising to open the shop 30 years ago. As someone who also left advertising, I have to tip my hat to that sort of career change.

The store is a labyrinth stocked with books on every topic. An old model schooner, a leather saddle, Victorian chairs are just some of the antiques that add to the romance.

Chicago Tonight’s video gives you an idea of the value of Bookman’s Alley.

What a great business! What a great career!

Amazon and Barnes & Noble can’t replace this.

Related articles

• Bookman’s Alley: Paradise Lost? (theflaneurofchicago.wordpress.com)

 

My Responses to the Citizen Reader 2011 Survey

1. What is your age (ranges okay) and gender?

45-54, F

2. Please estimate the percentage of both fiction and nonfiction you read, totalling 100% (e.g., “10% fiction and 90% nonfiction,” or “100% fiction, 0% nonfiction”). If the only nonfiction books you read are purely reference works like cookbooks and how-tos, please indicate 100% fiction, but add “and reference NF.”

25% Nonfiction, 75% Fiction

3. How many books do you read per month?

Used to be a few, 4 perhaps, now it’s one play and a fragment. It’s so chaotic here, I have a kind of ADHD thing going on.

4. Name three formats in which you read, from greatest to least (e.g. “print books, audio books, e-books,” where the format you read most often is print books).

print books, print books, print books

5. Name the three primary ways, in any order, in which you find reading materials. You may speak broadly (“blogs” or “personal recommendations”) or specifically (“Bookslut blog” or “my sister’s suggestions”).

General list of classics that resides in my head, my book club, NPR

6. Please list three words that most describe why you read (e.g. “comfort, education, escapism”).

Inspiration, knowledge, stimulation

7. Do you buy or borrow most of your reading material?

borrow

8. Would you say you have less time, more time, or about the same amount of time to read as you have had in the past? If less or more, why (briefly)?

A lot less. As I’ve mentioned above, I’ve moved to a very hectic, ADHD inducing culture. There’s a frantic pace and a constant noise from the construction. I just can’t concentrate.

9. Please list your five favorite “genres,” (nonfiction included) using whatever names you call them by. Please also list your favorite title in each genre.

Classic fiction – Pride and Prejudice tied with The Adventures of Augie March, philosophy – The Enchiridion, humor – Anne Lamott‘s work, travel writing – anthologies, spiritual – currently Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard

10. What was the best book you read in 2011? The worst? (READ in 2011; not necessarily published in 2011.)

Worst – Peer Gynt, I generally put down a book I really don’t like
Best – Hmmm, Brideshead Revisited

And I think we’ll stop there. There’s so much more I want to ask but I’ll wait until next year.

Related articles

• Kirkus Reviews Announces the Best Fiction of 2011 (prweb.com)
• 2011 National Book Award Winners on Audio (rbk12blog.com)
• Teaching Nonfiction to Elementary Students (schoolmarmohio.com)
• What authors can learn from the bestseller lists (alanrinzler.com)
• Dear Book Lover: Fiction that Reads Like Nonfiction (online.wsj.com)
• Apples to Apples, Please: Narrative Nonfiction and Empathy (brevity.wordpress.com)