NPR’S ALAN CHEUSE & LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Alan Cheuse and I enjoy a hug at the Virginia Festival of the Book

About a year ago, Alan Cheuse reviewed my book on NPR’s ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I, naturally, was very grateful for his comments and his support even though at one point he likened my book to a lemon meringue pie. Although he did refer to LOOKING FOR SALVATION AT THE DAIRY QUEEN as a stand-out, coming-of-age novel (of course that was my favorite part!), he also admitted that he longed for more filling and less meringue.

Flash forward 13 months later. I’m sitting in the audience at a panel discussion at the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville — Alan Cheuse, Michael Dirda, Louis Bayard and Bethanne Kelly Patrick are all there — superstars in the world of literary critics.

They all mourned the recent death of the Washington Post’s Book World. Alan Cheuse was downright furious about it — as well he should be. They all agreed that the critic’s review should be the first dialogue in a continued conversation about a new book. But sadly, the opportunities for us to hear from the great critics are rapidly disappearing.

During the question-and-answer period, I raised my hand, thanked Mr. Cheuse for his support and handed him a lemon meringue pie. He kiddingly asked if I was going to throw it at him. Truthfully, I was never offended by his comment, only honored that he had started a conversation.

Posted March 22, 2009 at 10:44 am · 4 comments