Posts Tagged Walker Percy
Christopher Eck on Gumbo Yah-Yah the Blue Alligator and the Big Storm
Posted by admin in Literature on November 17, 2010
Gumbo Yah-Yah
Back when I was in a high school journalism class in the mid-1980s, my teenage self could not have imagined such a thing as the Internet, much less the fact I would be interviewing a published author who happened to be a high school classmate of mine. But here I am, interviewing first-time children’s literature writer/illustrator, Christopher Eck, about his book, The Story of Gumbo Yah-Yah the Blue Alligator and the Big Storm. I discovered his book through our high school alumni newsletter, contacted Eck and he was kind enough to do an email interview about the tale conceived initially for his daughter, but expanded to a larger audience and meaning partially motivated by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. The book, which tells the “story of Gumbo Yah-Yah the Blue Alligator and his journey in and around New Orleans after Katrina”, can be purchased here and proceeds from the sale of the book will help charities working toward the recovery from Katrina. Eck explains what charities will be supported during our interview. An added bonus in this interview, I found out someone other than myself appreciates the writing of the late Walker Percy.
Tim O’Shea: You started developing this story prior to Hurricane Katrina for your daughter. In fact, she, along with your wife and your son made up the initial critical audience for the book as you were developing it. Can you think of ways that their feedback helped you reshape the way you approached the story?
Christopher Eck: My family was especially helpful in shaping and reshaping the original storyline in many ways. The genesis for the story itself began as a bedtime story for my daughter about a blue alligator when she was age three. As a father, I realized that she and other kids – and later my son – respond really well to stories about animals and vivid colors. So I knew pretty much right away that if she enjoyed the idea of the character of Gumbo that it was something I could work with and further develop.
1989 Laetare Medal from Notre Dame: Walker Percy
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 1, 2010
I never had the pleasure of meeting Walker Percy. I have had the pleasure of reading him though. The novelist died in May 1990. Out of curiosity I went looking for a video of Percy and found this nearly 10-minute speech, where he accepted the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame at their 1989 commencement.
Bless ya, Craig Ferguson…& Other Stuff
Posted by admin in late night TV, Literature on January 26, 2008
I’m not a huge Ringo Starr fan, but I really have to tip my hat to Craig Ferguson for devoting his entire January 24 episode to the Beatles former drummer (who is currently making the rounds with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart as part of his band). The last time I can remember an entire show devoting its focus to one act would have been David Letterman’s final Warren Zevon show in 2002. Ferguson won me over a few years ago when he devoted an entire monologue to eulogizing his father . CBS and Worldwide Pants kindly archive Ferguson’s monologues here. Ferguson has this unfettered enthusiasm about his job that is as engaging and genuine as Letterman was in his 12:30 am slot back at NBC. This past Thursday night’s show was a prime example of why I hope Ferguson never gets sick of his late night gig.
In college, one of those writers that engaged my interest and reinforced my decision to get a degree in English Literature was Walker Percy. Since his death in 1990, I’ve often worried that the level of respect for his work would dwindle (as it invariable does with some authors after their demise). That worry seems a tad needless when I run across items like this one at the New York Times‘ Reading Room blog.
Bless ya, Craig Ferguson…& Other Stuff
Posted by admin in late night TV, Literature on January 26, 2008
I’m not a huge Ringo Starr fan, but I really have to tip my hat to Craig Ferguson for devoting his entire January 24 episode to the Beatles former drummer (who is currently making the rounds with Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart as part of his band). The last time I can remember an entire show devoting its focus to one act would have been David Letterman’s final Warren Zevon show in 2002. Ferguson won me over a few years ago when he devoted an entire monologue to eulogizing his father . CBS and Worldwide Pants kindly archive Ferguson’s monologues here. Ferguson has this unfettered enthusiasm about his job that is as engaging and genuine as Letterman was in his 12:30 am slot back at NBC. This past Thursday night’s show was a prime example of why I hope Ferguson never gets sick of his late night gig.
In college, one of those writers that engaged my interest and reinforced my decision to get a degree in English Literature was Walker Percy. Since his death in 1990, I’ve often worried that the level of respect for his work would dwindle (as it invariable does with some authors after their demise). That worry seems a tad needless when I run across items like this one at the New York Times‘ Reading Room blog.
Twitter RSS- talkingwithtim: @BenJMorse @Remender That gem is not on sale yet is it? @gabrielhardman could draw 24 pages of heroes drinking coffee & I would love it.
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