City of Literature
Dark Sparkler, by Amber Tamblyn
Though she’s mostly known for her acting, Tamblyn has published three collections of her writing, both poetry and prose, and she contributes to the Poetry Foundation and works for *Bust Magazine* reviewing poetry. She’ll read at 7 p.m. March 14 at Prairie Lights, 15 S. Dubuque St.
Her newest work, *Dark Sparkler*, serves, in a way, as a eulogy. Tamblyn reflects on the lives and deaths of child stars, actresses loved and lost within the public eye, and how they still linger in the world. At times it is dark, nearly angry, and complemented by artwork from David Lynch, Marilyn Manson, and other artists.
New Release
Blackass by A. Igoni Barrett
A. Igoni Barrett, the son of prolific Nigerian writer Lindsay Barrett [Eseoghene], has published two collections of work, and *Blackass* is his first novel.
The story functions as an innovative exploration of white privilege. A middle-class man in Nigeria, the protagonist, awakens and sees his deep, rich skin has faded to a milky white, everywhere except his ass. The change costs him his family, but he suddenly has better career opportunities, and beautiful women desire his company.
It feels a bit like a fictionalized juxtaposition of John Howard Griffin’s *Black Like Me*, though both aim to prove that different races (or ethnicities) are treated differently, then and now.
Rediscovered
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
At this point, nearly everyone knows the story of *Jurassic Park*, but mostly from Steven Spielberg’s film adaptations. With at least one more such movie in the works, it might be best to go back and take a look at the novel that started it all.
Even two and a half decades after publication, Crichton’s novel holds up as the greatest warning of what can happen when humans try to play god. As is often true, the book bests the film, giving characters more depth and packing a bigger punch. Plus, if you enjoy reading this, you’ll have plenty of new material; Crichton was an avid writer of novels, short stories, screenplays, and television episodes.
— by Justus Flair