Warren Lehrer will be at Bank Square Books for an author signing and to present a multimedia performance/reading on Monday, September 29th at 6:30pm. Please call 860-536-3795 for more details.
Description
A LIFE IN BOOKS:
The Rise and Fall of Bleu Mobley is an
award-winning “illuminated novel” containing 101 books within it, all written
by Lehrer’s protagonist—a prolific and controversial author—who finds himself
in prison looking back on his life and career. Over the course of one long
night, in the darkness of his prison cell, he whispers his life story into a
microcassette recorder, tracing his journey from the public housing project of
his youth, to a career as a journalist, then experimental novelist, college
professor, accidental bestselling author, pop-culture pundit, and unindicted
prisoner. The novel pairs Mobley’s reluctant memoir with a review of all 101 of
his books. Each book is represented by its first-edition cover design and
catalogue copy, and more than a third of his books are excerpted.
In his funny, entertaining and thought provoking performance, Warren Lehrer presents an overview of Bleu Mobley's life in books via many of Mobley's cover designs and other biographical materials including animations, and video performances of Mobley book excerpts. The resulting retrospective explores the creative process of a writer/artist, as it reflects upon a half century of American/global events, and grapples with the future of the book as a medium as well as the lines that separate (and sometimes blur) truth, myth, and fiction.
Written and designed by acclaimed author/artist/performer Warren Lehrer, A LIFE IN BOOKS is an extraordinarily original, funny, heartwarming and heart-wrenching exploration of one man’s use of books as a means of understanding himself, the people around him, and a half-century of American/global events. This four-color, full-length novel fuses art and literature, and distinguishes itself as one of those books you’ll want to hold in your hands, feast your eyes on, read and re-read, share with friends, and treasure for years to come.
WINNER 2014 IPPY (Independent Publisher) Outstanding Book of the Year Award for Most Original Concept “A stunningly unique take on the novel that unabashedly explores the relationship between narrator and reader. With A Life in Books, Lehrer has upended the modern novel form and its narrative limitations, creating a rich and engaging story through visual literature. Mindblowing... reality bending... a laugh riot and visual feast.”
Also WINNER of a Next Generation Indie Book Award, a National Indie Book Award, a CBAA Exhibition Prize, and a PRINT Magazine Regional Design Award
“An ingenious, one-of-a-kind
novel.” Kurt Andersen NPR's Studio 360
A Life In Books is brilliant, beautiful, delicious for eyes and
mind.” Andrei Codrescu poet,
novelist, journalist, public radio commentator
“A vivid kaleidoscopic odyssey that frames one man’s life through not one, but one hundred different books—and book jackets.” Jessica Helfand writer, graphic designer, educator, founding editor Design Observer
“A book-lover’s fictional treat of books that never were… A Life In Books is ultimately about how the sadness of life is transformed into art… As Whitman said, ‘I contain multitudes,’ and Bleu Mobley contains 101 books. Wonderful!” Michael Silverblatt Bookworm, KCRW
“A funny, thought-provoking and refreshing twist on the graphic novel… A tour de force... Guaranteed to bring a smile.” Ken Carbone Huffington Post
“A meticulously illustrated chronicle… Pitch perfect.” Steven Heller The Atlantic