01-18-11:Steven R. Boyett Reads at SF in SF, on November 13, 2011
"I am sorry to have to tell you this."
—Steven R. Boyett
I'm definitely not sorry to have to tell you this; Steven R. Boyett's "I am sorry to have to tell you this" is one of the most powerful pieces I have ever heard read aloud. From the first chilling line to the final refrain, "I am sorry to have to tell you this," is a perfect example of what fiction can accomplish. This is indeed, what sound is about.
I really don't want to say too much about the content of this piece. Boyett tells us in his brief introduction that it was written as a radio drama, but never officially aired as such anywhere – until now, and I am proud to do so.
What I will say is that, like the other reading, the power of this hinges not just on the material, which is top-notch, but as well on the performance by Boyett. His reading is pitch-perfect; it's very measured. This is everything I would hope for from the author of 'The Answer Tree.' You can hear the story by following this link to the MP3 audio file.
01-17-11:Chuck Palahniuk Reads at Café du Nord
"Knock Knock"
—Chuck Palahniuk
Well, in theory it's been published, but since I don't read Playboy (at least, not for the fiction), I can't verify that's the case. By now, I know how variable the publishing world is. One second, an author might have six movie deals and three books forthcoming. In the next, they're blogging for their own website. Not that this is the likely fate of Chuck Palahniuk. But at least this is one sort-of justification for my procrastination with regards to podcasting this.
Of course, this recording is not all story. It's a document of sorts, to give you a feel in sound, at least, for what a Chuck Palahniuk concert, no performance is like. There's always a giveaway, and this time was no different. Well, except for Yours Truly. I guess I should explain.
You'll her Chuck anoint me as the "thrower of the loot," in this case, blow-up Oscars, little boxes of stuff – the usual sort of swag that Chuck insists on giving to his audience to make the whole thing a real blast. Now what Chuck does not insist on is an old Mason's hall with huge hanging lamp fixture, and a balcony. That just came with the Café du Nord.
And I came with a throwing skill so terrible, that, in my attempts to hurl swag up on the balcony, I nearly took out one of those hanging light fixtures. We got the word quickly: No more throwing, which meant that I had to run around and give stuff away. I had to look happy, like I was having fun, when I was overheating, stressed and about to be mind-bogglingly depressed by Chuck's powerful story. You don't want to know any more. Here's the link to the MP3 audio file. If you want just the story, step in about 19 minutes, but you'll a lot of good Chuck stuff. Only to find the nugget of pure misery.
New to the Agony Column
09-05-15: Commentary : Susan Casey Listens to 'Voices in the Ocean' : Science, Empathy and Self
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Susan Casey : "...the reporting for this book was emotionally difficult at times..."
08-21-15: Agony Column Podcast News Report : Senator Claire McCaskill is 'Plenty Ladylike' : Internalizing Determination to Overcome Sexism [Incudes Time to Read EP 211: Claire McCaskill, Plenty Ladylike, plus A 2015 Interview with Senator Claire McCaskill]
Agony Column Podcast News Report : Emily Schultz Unleashes 'The Blondes' : A Cure by Color [Incudes Time to Read EP 210: Emily Schultz, The Blondes, plus A 2015 Interview with Emily Schultz]
07-05-15: Commentary : Dr. Michael Gazzaniga Tells Tales from Both Sides of the Brain : A Life in Neuroscience Reveals the Life of Science
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Michael Gazzaniga : "We made the first observation and BAM there was the disconnection effect..."
04-21-15: Commentary : Kazuo Ishiguro Unearths 'The Buried Giant' : The Mist of Myth and Memory
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Kazuo Ishiguro : ".... by the time I was writing this novel, the lines between what was fantasy and what was real had blurred for me..."
Agony Column Podcast News Report : A 2015 Interview with Marc Goodman : "...every physical object around us is being transformed, one way or another, into an information technology..."
Agony Column Podcast News Report UPDATE: Time to Read Episode 199: Marc Goodman : Future Crimes: Everything Is Connected, Everyone Is Vulnerable and What We Can Do About It
