Thursday, October 27, 2011

Book Review: "After Lyletown" by K.C. Frederick



Most people do things when they're young that they regret later on in life, whether it's driving drunk after a party and taking out somebody's mail box, getting a tattoo on your face, or buying a Haircut One Hundred Album.

In K.C. Frederick's "After Lyletown," Alan Ripley's past holds an event of heavier consequence. As a grad student in the '60s, Ripley fell in with a radical crowd that plotted to knock over a gun store and pass along the weapons to black communities struggling for their civil rights. Hardly a committed revolutionary, Ripley is less in love with the idea of arming minorities than he is with the woman who hatched the plot.

As fate would have it, he gets neither the woman nor the chance to prove his loyalty to her plan. A case of appendicitis lands him in the hospital when the caper goes down. Things go badly; one man dies and another ends up in jail for a long stretch.

Twenty years later, Ripley is a successful lawyer living in the suburbs of Boston with his wife and son. His life is comfortable. Until Rory, the man who spent several years in jail over the failed weapons heist, rings him up.

After Rory entered the story, I spent much of my reading time expecting something big and bad to happen. And while it never does, Frederick develops great suspense. What does Rory want from Alan? Why does Alan hide his past from his wife? What will happen when she finds out about this dark chapter of his life? Will Rory blackmail Alan and ruin his married and professional lives?

Rather than add more violence and crime to the initial, and crucial, episode, Frederick builds the story by gradually filling in the details of Alan's past and present. In some ways, he's like a reformed convict, although he didn't take part in the failed plot, and didn't serve jail time. He realized that his hospitalization was a gift, and that he needed to mature, and use that opportunity to help people. Sure, there was a failed marriage. Sure, he's not always sure he's doing the right thing in his job. But that's what makes him such a human protagonist.

"After Lyletown" springs from a revolutionary era in the United States. The book succeeds, however, because Frederick understands the quiet moments from which real change occurs: poor decision-making made in the name of love, guilt kept close to the vest, blind faith that an associate with a chequered past won't ruin one's life.

Frederick does a great job of bringing the reader into Alan's convoluted life, and reminding us that we cannot, ultimately, escape our own history.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Extra! Extra! Blog All About It!

Seven weeks after I sent an entry to the Indie Books Blog, today is the day they feature my book, "(C)rock Stories: Million-Dollar Tales of Music, Mayhem and Immaturity."

You can read my blurb here; if you haven't bought the book yet, there's a "buy" link at the bottom of the post.

Thank you.

As you were....

Friday, October 14, 2011

They Say It's Your Birthday!

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer turns 65 on Saturday, October 15th. Funny guy Norm MacDonald will be 47 on Monday.

But more importantly, my niece, Grace, turns 8 on Tuesday the 18th, and my brother, Steve, will be the big 5-0 on Thursday the 20th.

This past weekend, Beth and I flew to D.C. for a surprise birthday party my sister-in-law, Tonya, threw for my brother. Held at the massive and well-appointed Gaylord National Harbor Hotel, the bash featured loads of dance music, a fun quiz game, free drinks, good eats and a great time for hanging out with family.



As you can see, despite the fact that more than 80 people were invited, and that Tonya had to convince Steve that, yes, indeed, they were going to see a jazz band in a hotel ballroom, my brother was surprised.

He had a great time, making the rounds several times, dancing like he probably hasn't done in years, and giving a heartfelt speech of thanks to the gathering of friends, family, coworkers and neighbors.

The next day, Beth and I joined my brother, Tonya, their kids, Grace and Isaiah, and my sister and parents for brunch in the hotel. The trip was a quick one, but it was great to celebrate with my big brother and see how well loved he is in his various communities.



Happy birthday, bro!

It was great to see my brother's kids, too. I can't believe Grace is going to be 8. She's such a great kid: smart, funny, a great dancer (a highlight of the party was when she, Isaiah and some friends and cousins hit the dance floor with my brother), artistic and musical. And it's cool to see her excited about soccer and ice skating.

Here's my favorite recent picture of her:



Here's a big happy birthday to you, Grace! Hope we see you and Isaiah, and your mom and dad, at Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

(C)rocktoberfest!




UPDATE: ALL THE PRIZES HAVE BEEN CLAIMED!

Welcome to the first-ever promotional quiz for my book, "(C)ROCK STORIES: MILLION-DOLLAR TALES OF MUSIC, MAYHEM AND IMMATURITY."

Below are 10 questions that relate to stories in the book. The first five people to answer all 10 correctly will receive their choice of (1) copy of the book OR (1) promotional t-shirt from Zazzle.

To see your t-shirt choices, visit my Zazzle store. There are 15 shirts (in both guys' and gals' styles), one for each story in the book. Select one, email me your choice, and I'll order it and have it shipped.

Send answers to me here.

Use any life line you need.

GOOD LUCK!



1) Name a band in which "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" writer/singer Rick Derringer played.

2) Name two original members of Foghat.

3) Name Stewart Copeland's pre-Police band.

4) Define "poser."

5) Who is "Echo" from Echo & the Bunnymen?

6) Which band formed first, New Order or Soundgarden?

7) List two names that Butthole Surfers performed under before selecting their official name?

8) Who's the most famous band to come out of Athens, GA?

9) What is Steven Tyler's birth name?

10) Other than "a post-punk band from Washington, D.C.," what does "fugazi" mean in?