Join author and journalist Barry Divola to hear him discuss his rock-lit road trip novel.
Two estranged brothers, one stolen car and a road trip from Austin, Texas to New York in the days leading up to 9/11. What could possibly go wrong?
This is the premise of a new novel ‘Driving Stevie Fracasso’ by Barry Divola who will be in conversation with Claire Halliday for an online author talk on Wednesday 14 April from 6.30pm. The event is free but bookings are a must.
For fans of Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About a Boy) and David Nicholls (Us, One Day, Patrick Melrose), this novel is described as a “glorious, music-infused, rollicking road trip novel”.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said this event would appeal to fans of smart, endearing and funny literature and films.
“This is, on paper, a road trip buddy story but the deeper journey takes the characters back to the things they’ve forgotten they need: family and love,” she said.
“Barry Divola is an Australian music and arts journalist who writes regularly for Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and Men’s Style. Perth-based, it’s one positive from our current times that our local audiences are able to join him for this special event.
“Although he’s published many books, ‘Driving Stevie Fracasso’ is his debut novel.”
Barry is in conversation with Claire Halliday, a freelance journalist and author of Things My Mother Taught Me and Things My Father Taught Me.
Synopsis
Rick is a jaded New York music journalist whose life goes south in the space of a single day when he loses his job, his apartment and his long-term girlfriend.
But then he gets thrown a lifeline – a paying gig to get the story of forgotten rock legend Stevie Fracasso while driving him from Texas to New York to do a comeback show. One small problem – Rick and Stevie have history – they’re brothers who have not spoken in 30 years.
Rick knows it’s a bad idea. But he’s out of choices. So he gets behind the wheel of a beaten-up 1985 Nissan Stanza and drives towards his destiny. It’s September, 2001. He’s about to find everything he didn’t know he was missing.
This event is brought to you by East Gippsland Shire Libraries, Latrobe City Libraries, Wellington Shire Libraries and West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation.
‘Driving Stevie Fracasso’ by Barry Divola will be presented via Zoom on Wednesday 14 April from 6.30pm.
Bookings are essential. Tickets are available at Eventbrite https://author-talk-driving-stevie-fracasso.eventbrite.com.au