Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jul 2008
384 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
Steven Kearney is a bumbling, overweight writer who has produced thousands of pages of novels, plays, and poems - not a single one of which has ever been published. After being thrown out of his Manhattan apartment, Kearney is offered a position as playwright-in-residence for three months at the Creedemore Historical Society in Colorado, who want him to write and direct a historical play about the town.
When Kearney arrives, all hell breaks loose. A dispute between an elderly landowner, Ticky Lettgo, and a young man named Red Fields escalates into a battle that pits local ranchers against a fringe anti-property group. Town sheriff Petey Meyers, still haunted by the death of his police partner, tries to keep the peace. As the national media descends on the town, the most extreme member of the activist group initiates a diabolical plan that could sabotage everything.
Amid all the tumult, Kearney pens a play that brilliantly captures the history of the town. In the process, he realizes he's too old to keep beating up on himself and finds lasting love.
"Ambitious and consistently charming, this overstuffed third novel ...is brimming with gems of richly observed small town life." - Publishers Weekly.
"An actor adept at entertaining and holding an audience shows himself a novelist gifted with the same skills. The book is not a masterpiece, but it's an immensely engaging and winning performance. " - Kirkus Reviews.
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest meets A Confederacy of Dunces. McLarty's storytelling skills shine in this ribald, riotously funny but also poignant novel. You’ll never look at the theater or the state of Colorado in quite the same way after reading it." - David Baldacci.
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
A native of East Providence, Rhode Island, Ron McLarty was a veteran actor, accomplished playwright, prolific audiobook narrator and acclaimed novelist. He came to New York to become a writer. While pursuing this goal, he became one of television's and film's most recognized faces for his character actor roles. He was a regular on the popular series Spenser: For Hire and appeared on Person of Interest, Rescue Me, The Practice, Law & Order, and Sex and the City.
He also appeared in many films and on the stage, where he directed many of his own plays. He lived in New York City with his actress wife, Kate Skinner.
It was his collaboration with Stephen King that led to his emergence as a published novelist of national repute. Beginning with the early years of his career, McLarty's passion for...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Ron McLarty's Website
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