T.R. Pearson, Author of POLAR and Seven Other Novels, To Speak in San Francisco at Thought Magazine Lecture Series

T.R. Pearson, the modern day Mark Twain and author of eight widely acclaimed novels, is scheduled to appear in San Francisco on January 24 at 7 PM. The Pearson appearance is part of an eleven event lecture series presented by Thought Magazine, a non-profit literary journal published twice a year, in association with the literary-themed, boutique, downtown hotel, Hotel Rex.

At 7:00 pm on January 24 at the literary-themed Hotel Rex (562 Sutter Street), Thought Magazine will present the original talent T.R. Pearson, author of Blue Ridge (Delightful"-The New York Times; Unfailingly funny"-The Washington Post) and POLAR (to be released in hardcover January 15). Pearson will read and discuss his critically acclaimed novels and his unique voice in contemporary fiction during the fourth event of The Thought Magazine Author Series. For the author series, which provides a literary salon atmosphere, The Hotel Rexs lobby bar will be open and, for groups of ten or more, appetizers can be arranged. Books will be available for sale and signing after the event, which will conclude with an audience question and answer session.    

T.R. Pearsons eight widely acclaimed novels include Blue Ridge (named a New York Times Notable Book), A Short History of a Small Place, Off for the Sweet Hereafter, The Last of How It Was, and Cry Me a River.

In his latest novel, POLAR, Pearson-described as the modern cross between Mark Twain and William Faulkner-returns to spin the tale of Clayton, a ne'-er-do-well, notorious among the townies for his devotion to blue movies on the satin channel. Suddenly without warning, he asks to be called "Titus" and appears to possess prophetic gifts (though in a trivial way), which win him fame and popularity. But with his newfound powers, can he help in the search for a missing child? Deputy Ray Tatum unravels the mystery of Clayton's condition. Aided by his sometime girlfriend, Kit Carson, he follows the story to its surprising end in Antarctica as he deals with the crimes and follies of his own small town in Virginia.

It is hard to read one of T. R. Pearson's novels without laughing out loud. Pearson's subject is the world of the small-town South. His voice-self-parodying, comic, and rich in language-is the strongest in todays contemporary fiction, calling to mind the voice of Mark Twain. Like Twain, Pearson cannot help ridiculing pomposity and silliness. Yet, beneath the laughter lies an aspect of sadness. It is the sadness of lonely people confronting morality-all of Pearsons protagonists face this sadness. He portrays what O'Connor and Faulkner wrote also: that the lines of comedy and tragedy overlap.
The goal of Thought Magazine, a non-profit, semi-annual literary journal, and its Free Author Speaker Series, which features authors of newly released books, is to spread Thought Magazines love of writing, and to establish a community of authors and readers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The series of eleven events runs from January to April, with a list of authors including: Gary M. Pomerantz (January 31), Melinda & Robert Blanchard (February 9), Suzanne Finnamore (February 14), and Robert Cohen (February 22). All events are held at 7 pm at the Hotel Rex. More information is available by visiting: www.thoughtmagazine.org or by calling (650) 344-1288.

Found in bookstores throughout the Bay Area, Thought Magazine is comprised of poetry, fiction, and essays by authors around the globe. The next issue to be released in April, features an interview with 2001 National Book Award finalist Dan Chaon, author of Among the Missing." The magazine funds a Community Service Program, which supports writing classes in shelters, hospitals, recovery centers and senior homes.

For information: www.thoughtmagazine.org or
Contact: thoughtmagazine@yahoo.com
Phone: 650-344-1288

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