Tom Lynch

Expectations may have been a bit unfair as Moody offered us "The Diviners" last month, a massive, multi-character study of Hollywood that almost every review published in the country describes as "ambitious." The author of "Garden State" and "The Ice Storm" took eight years to finalize his new work of fiction--a book of shorts and a memoir came during that period--and "The Diviners," while lacking the suburban fervor of sex and guilt of "The Ice Storm," combines more than twelve Hollywood tales during the 2000 electoral recount, the most intriguing of which is the story of a bloody-knuckled producer set on airing a thirteen-part mini-series about diviners. What ensues is unpredictable to say the least, from the sexual perversion--handicapped children?--to the delusional drunks. The book, while bitingly satiric and funny, is still solemn in its own way, a nostalgic look at the end of Clinton's America and the start of America anew. Dale Peck, the New Republic columnist who famously blasted Moody as "the worst writer of his generation," should have done his research.

Rick Moody reads from "The Diviners" on October 20 at Barbara's Bookstore, 1100 West Lake, Oak Park, (708)848-9140, at 7:30pm. Free.

(2005-10-18)

Also by Tom Lynch

Game Day
Reggie, South Side pride personified, can't dance. He can barely move as he shuffles to the beats pounding from the speakers. Our MC screams into his mic, "Damn, Reggie. What the hell did you just do?" The crowd disbands. Back to the football screens
(2005-10-11)

Worth the Weight
Nada Surf had a hit. A big hit. It was called "Popular," a satiric look at the depth charts of high-school totem poles, the soap-opera dramas of dating and the quarterback-head-cheerleader hookup inevitability. Remember it? MTV loved it. The kids loved it. The video was a riot. And then the band disappeared
(2005-10-11)

Tip of the Week
Indie-pop genius Colin Meloy delivered his best work earlier this year with "Picaresque," a theatrical record of epic scope that tells tales of sports, prostitution, Portuguese princesses and cold-blooded revenge
(2005-10-11)

Tip of the Week
The Chicago Book Festival is in full force this week, featuring a massive number of readings at a variety of Chicago locations, including theaters, libraries and schools
(2005-10-04)

Tip of the Week
(2005-10-04)

Making plans
(2005-10-04)

Soundcheck
(2005-09-27)

Tip of the Week
(2005-09-20)

Tip of the Week
(2005-09-20)

In a Great State
(2005-09-13)

Tip of the Week
(2005-09-13)

Starr* Light, Starr* Bright
(2005-09-06)

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