Ethan Hawke, Indian Food and City Lights Bookshop: Ralph in California.

5 posts / 0 new

Topic locked

Wed, 2002-08-07 20:51

So we went and saw Ethan Hawke (the actor) in discussion about his new book in this beautiful theatre in san Francisco. He read from it and was very charming. Some girl tried to molest him on stage which was hilarious. Man, the ladies love him, he is attractive and wise I guess. I got a copy signed for Jane.

We then eat some excellent Indian food, Ethan did not join us of course, but my friend Paula wished he had.

we then went to City Lights Bookshop; one of the most famous bookshops in the world, it was where the beat generation did their biz all those years ago and still has huge clout in the America Litarature canon. Imagine my shock then when I am raiding the bookshelves and see an anthology that I am in, I thought that this book was out of print and utterly unavailible for a few years. The book is called 'The Living Room' and contains my story 'Come On You Blues' which can be viewed on this site. There were three copies there and i bought two. I felt so cool being on sale in that shop.

My friend Paula looked for the first Ethan Hawke book but it was not for sale in City Lights, when she asked the sales assistant why he said that they are very selective about what they sell there and a book by an actor who has lofty ideas about themselves is not what they are into.

I felt even cooler after that little exchange.

Sorry Ethan but you can always go home to your wife Uma Thurman.

Ralph

Wed, 2002-08-07 21:47

justyn_thyme

I had no idea who he was until over the winter when I saw him on the TCM channel in a movie, something like "Sunrise Forever." I forget the title. It's about an American guy who meets a French girl on a train to Vienna. They stop off in Vienna and stay up all night going from place to place, then sleep in a park. He leaves for the U.S. the next day and they promise to meet in year. I've had a similar fantasy for about 40 years. Unfortunately, it remains a fantasy.

Wed, 2002-08-07 22:15

markbrown

It's 'Almost Sunrise' I think...

Wed, 2002-08-07 22:52

justyn_thyme

Ah....that sounds more like it. It's a decent little movie, actually. The French actress is quite good. I forget her name. TCM repeats this film quite often. I'll be interested in what Ralph et al thing of his book. Ralph, if you're still there, see if they have the novels of John Fante and his son Dan Fante. Dan has published two short novels, one of which describes his visit to City Lights and finding a copy of his father's our-of-print book. That must have been some years ago, as John Fante's books are readily available today, largely as the result of Charles Bukowski's efforts. I've read most of Fante (elder and junior). They're decent, though not exactly to my personal taste. Still, they are worth reading.

Wed, 2002-08-07 23:41

markbrown

"Before Sunrise" that's definately it

Topic locked