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Thalia Book Club: Richard Ford's 'The Sportswriter', 'Independence Day', and 'The Lay of the Land' cover art

Thalia Book Club: Richard Ford's 'The Sportswriter', 'Independence Day', and 'The Lay of the Land'

By: Richard Ford
Narrated by: Isaiah Sheffer, David Strathairn
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Editorial reviews

Richard Ford, author of the critically acclaimed trilogy composed of The Sportswriter, the Pulitzer Prize- and Pen Faulkner-winning Independence Day, and The Lay of the Land, stars in this episode of Symphony Space’s Thalia Book Club series, with the venue’s esteemed artistic director, Isaiah Sheffer, interviewing and overseeing proceedings.

Following the reading of an excerpt of Ford’s work by acclaimed actor David Straithairn, Sheffer and Ford engage in a humorous, conversational, and thoroughly thoughtful dialogue about the nature of writing and novels. Ford is a sharp and satisfying guest, offering keen literary insights, and engaging good-naturedly with audience questions and comments.

Publisher's Summary

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford talks candidly about his celebrated trilogy of novels and his approach to writing the character of Frank Bascombe over 20-plus years, overthrowing some of his readers' assumptions in the course of the conversation.

Symphony Space Artistic Director Isaiah Sheffer interviews Mr. Ford, whose "pitch-perfect voice takes us as close as we can get to experiencing another person's inner life" (Newsweek). Actor David Strathairn performs the opening chapter of The Lay of the Land at the beginning of the program.

This special event was recorded live as part of the Thalia Book Club series at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City.

If you haven't heard it already, download Richard Ford's Independence Day and The Lay of the Land (Unabridged).

And don't miss any of the Thalia Book Club author events.

©2008 The Symphony Space, Inc. (P)2008 The Symphony Space, Inc.

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