Lit Arts Brings on the Double Bill

Literary Arts will present a double bill in Spring of 2007 featuring Mary Gaitskill and George Saunders. Gaitskill wields words like a surgeon wields a scalpel-- a horribly clichéd simile, true, but imagine that the surgeon is separating conjoined twins without the aid of anasthesia. Imagine that you, the reader, are one (or both) of the twins.

You may know Gaitskill from Bad Behavior; Two Girls, Fat and Thin; and last year's National Book Award finalist, Veronica, from which it is luminous and frightening to hear her read. Saunders is, bluntly put, a genius of satire, social commentary, general hilarity, and that slippery form, the short story. Head straight for Pastoralia immediately, if you haven't already treated yourself to that amazing collection.

Literary Arts presents a slew of fine writers this season, truly outdoing themselves. David Sedaris returns, Frank McCourt comes around, and the charming author of Motherless Brooklyn, Jonathan Lethem, also graces PDX with his presence. To round out the best sellers, Lit Arts even brings the genre peeps like Stephen King and Scott Turow.

Now if we could just get them to book local authors alongside the New Yorkers, New Englanders, and other big names -- wouldn't it be a kick to open for Frank Rich or Suzan Lori-Parks? -- but maybe that's what Wordstock is for.

Mary Gaitskill & George Saunders

March 15, 2007

Portland Arts & Lectures

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m.