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Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors. |
Thursday, August 14, 1997
Today Vonda gave a reading and signing for the publication of her new novel, The Moon and the Sun. It was set up at the University Book Store in the U district. The bookstore folks had set up quite a nice space on the second floor, with chairs in the front and benches in the back. There were "hangings" with a fleur-de-lys pattern, to coordinate with the setting of the book, and her publisher had chipped in for some very nice refreshments, Dilletante chocolates and sparkling cider.
I got there early, about the same time as Vonda. I loaned her my bamboo fan (which I always carry in my bag) because it was a warm day, and went to pick out some books. I got hers, Greg Bear's new one called "/" or Slash, and a new one by Howard Waldrop. The room was mostly filled up by the time we started.
The reading was very interesting. I knew something about the time period of the novel, and I had a general idea of the plot, but I purposely hadn't found out too much about it, since I knew that I'd be wanting to read it. (I follow the same policy about movies that I know I want to see. If I've already decided, you don't need to sell me!) It takes place during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, in France. During the question time, Vonda had some comments on the differences between writing in a future setting and a historical setting. Who can dispute what you say about the future, if you don't get the science wrong? But a lot is known about this period in France, so she really had to dig.
When things were wrapping up, Luke went up to the front and presented Vonda with a birthday card and a check (contributions from a lot her friends) towards the framing of the cover art painting, which she has bought. It's such a beautiful painting, it deserves an expensive Baroque gilded frame. (Jane and Luke have shared a duplex with Vonda for years.) c
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Afterwards a group of us went to Big Time Brewery, a few blocks away, and shared a beverage or two. I hadn't been there before. The back room had old beer ads from the fifties on the walls, and a strange game that seemed to resemble curling more than anything else. Against one wall was a very long, narrow table, with a powdery substance sprinkled on it. The game consisted of sliding some rounded metal pucks from one end to the other, trying to get as close to the opposite end as possible, knocking off the opposing player's pucks along the way.
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