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What is the favorite book you remember as a child?
As a child, I mainly read nonfiction about sports.
Tell us about your current book in 10 words.
“American Odyssey” is a coming-of-age tale that puts the reader in the “sweet spot” of what it means to grow up.
What are you reading right now?
John Irving’s “The Last Chairlift.” It’s Mr. Irving’s swansong.
What books do you have on hold at the library?
None presently.
Do you have any bad book habits?
No, you won’t catch me dog-earing a novel.
E-Reader or print? and why?
Print, but I can’t offer a sensible reason.
One book at a time or multiples?
I’m a one at a time kinda guy.
Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)
Judith, dear, dog-earing a page is a venial sin this novelist would never commit.
Least favorite book you've read this year?
I’d rather not say. I wouldn’t want to shed a bad light on someone’s work. It may not have hit me the right way, but someone else might find it magical.
Favorite book you've read this year?
I reread East of Eden.
When do you do most of your reading?
I’m not a habitual reader; I read when the spirit moves me.
Favorite place to read?
It’s a seasonal decision: In the wintertime it’s the couch in the living room; in the milder seasons it’s under my gazebo.
Favorite genre?
General or literary fiction. I don’t care for plot-driven novels.
Do you loan your books?
Yes, I like to spread the joy.
Favorite book to recommend?
John Irving’s “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” John Updike’s “Rabbit Series,” and my own novel “The Bohemian.” Each of these opuses effectively uses humor, pathos, and irony to dive into human dysfunction and disarray.
Re-reader or not?
I’m a re-reader: If I can watch a movie multiple time, I can reread a novel. Some of the literary giants – Somerset Maugham, John Steinbeck, etc. – are worth a second go-around.
What would make you not finish a book?
A flat narrative voice would cause me to put a book down. A good narrative could get me to stay with a novel irrespective of the subject matter.
Keep books or give them away?
Hardbacks are keepers; the softies I pass along.
Set in Philadelphia in the mid-1970s, American Odyssey chronicles the coming-of-age journey of Addison Caldwell, Cillian James, and Joey Brosco. In their quest for independence, our trio encounters the recently widowed Leila Bennett, a former prostitute turned farm owner. For Leila, a sultry summer blossoms into an odyssey of hope and healing; for the boys, work and awakening. Leila—a girl discarded and rescued—teaches the threesome that virtue does not lie in the struggle for independence or what one must sacrifice for its behalf but in love that reinforces enduring friendship.
Joey emerged from the fields and Cillian from the kitchen. We tossed our bags in the bed of Leila’s behemoth pickup, and off we drove. Skipping the bus ride, we headed straight for Pittsburgh and the train station, blasting rockabilly music with the windows rolled down and enjoying our final time of what Leila called “hellraisin’.” As the train chugged west to east through Pennsylvania, I repeatedly asked myself: Who was Leila Bennett? Could she have been just a girl, any girl? Was Leila as common as any one of a million buttercups clustered in an open field and just as forgettable, or was she a four-leaf clover, a rare specimen who, over and over, would compel me to search for her in every crowd everywhere? Was she a young girl in a grown-up girl’s body or a grown-up girl as lost as any child would be when set to wander the vastness of the universe? Air and space: they can prove fickle entities. Not enough of each can kill you, and too much can kill you even faster. But whether we blossom in a vast field or cottage garden, in a way, we all want the same thing: the opportunity to strive for independence while enjoying the strength and comfort of unity. Leila had experienced that aspect of human desire for a time with Aunt Pearl, then later on, for a much briefer spell, with Uncle Dave. I hope, sooner than later, she finds just the right amount of air and space that allows her to bask in the beauty of youth while flourishing as a woman.
Michael DeStefano runs a hairstyling salon, where he has spent the past four decades beautifying the super people of Philadelphia. His past titles include the historical family saga The Gunslinger’s Companion, the comedy/tragedy Waiting for Grandfather, and The Bohemian. You can find these novels and other writings such as his love essays and perspective pieces at his blog site Michael’s Corner.
Blog: http://www.michaelscorner.blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.destefano.1654
Twitter: https://x.com/xMichaelsCorner
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/American-Odyssey-Michael-Stefano/dp/1937769895/ref=sr_1_4
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-odyssey-michael-de-stefano/1147324924
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I liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a interesting book.
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