It's Michael Chabon's World

Although John Carter, Disney's latest entree into sci-fi, is set to lose a record $200 million, it earns serious street cred from one name on its writing roster. With both a Pulitzer (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and a Hugo Award (The Yiddish Policemen's Union) under his belt,...

By Kelsey Whipple

April 5, 2012

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Although John Carter, Disney's latest entree into sci-fi, is set to lose a record $200 million, it earns serious street cred from one name on its writing roster. With both a Pulitzer (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) and a Hugo Award (The Yiddish Policemen's Union) under his belt, Michael Chabon can afford a flop. Since he released his first book, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, at age 25, the 48-year-old novelist has published six novels and two compilations of short stories in addition to essay collections and works for the younger crowd, all of which have cemented his reputation as a cross-genre powerhouse. Partially set in a record store, his forthcoming novel, Telegraph Avenue, promises a nostalgic -- if not quite Disney-like -- return to the shelves. "His fiction is incredibly insightful, and he's known for being the same way on stage," says Natalie Lacy, programs manager for the Aspen Writers Foundation. "There is nothing he can't do."

On Monday, Chabon will visit Aspen for a discussion with best-selling writer Andrew Sean Greer as the last entry in the Aspen Writers' Foundation's Winter Words program. He takes the stage at 5:30 p.m. at the Wheeler Opera House, 311 West Main Street. Tickets are $20, $10 for students and teachers. For more information, call 970-925-3122 or visit www.aspenwriters.org.
Mon., April 9, 2012

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