As though we don't pimp Modernist Society enough every month (we do, but we can't help ourselves) and if the promise of free Belvedere cocktails is not enticing in itself, this month they have a scorcher of a guest (and their first lady):
Porochista Khakpour, who is gaining literary heat by the second (and is also hot herself-as some of the male BYT staff helpfully pointed out), will be on hand to discuss "Sons and Other Flammable Objects", her extremely well received debut novel out this Tuesday, and more.
"Sons and Other Flammable Objects", a story of a family of Iranian immigrants, largely taking place in post-9/11 world (but heavily steeped in memories and traditions) has been received almost spectacularly well (read The NY Times review here and weep). It is the kind of book that will have people dropping everything from Zadie Smith to "The Namesake" when describing it, along with the book sleeve ready blurbs like "Khakpour’s biting humor and acute cultural observations carry the book" and "(she) brings her characters vividly to life; their flaws and feints at intimacy feel poignantly real, and their journeys generate real suspense".
Having had the pleasure of reading the book (during several balmy weekends on roof decks and park benches) I actually have to agree, probably because she literally writes about what she knows, and knows well, as this "Flasher" interview illustrates:.
On top of this, her unassailably cool resume includes writing for the Village Voice, Paper, URB, Flaunt and nerve (check out her Bad Sex: 20 year old virgin instant classic ) and everyone from Ann Curry to Carol Alt to your favorite media gossip bloggers has been popping up at her book release parties. And, I mean, these people surely had other options.
Plus, we are promised that the interview (which runs 9 to 10, after the 8 to 9 cocktail hour, and is followed by dancing as all good interviews should) will involve anything and everything from Jim (as in Tammy Faye) Bakker, drug rings and our favorite topic this week: skydiving.
What is not to love.
God loves a cheerful giver.
Cock pour?
Seriously?
It is good to see that even before 9 am Michael, you are already living up to your fullest 13-year-old boy potential.
I would hate to disappoint. I'm at work now though. I'll be an adult.
"cockpour" *snicker*
Hell I should go to this just to ask her a question:
Mzzzzz Cockpour, your book jacket says you bite. Is this true? How do you get second dates?
Svetlana's drunk.
duh.
I'm definitely drunk, but that's because I went to the greatest show ever while most of you were being stupid with Rilo Kiley. Can they be over yet? Please?
"cock pour"
It's STILL funny.
Or it could be "cock poor" like when some girl (or guy, I'm Cosmopolitan) humps a dude with a small penis and her (or his) friends ask:
"So he's cute, are you going to screw his balls off again until you can't walk right for a couple hours" (because that's how people talk you know)
they can reply:
"Nah, he's cock-poor. Ain't got nothing down there for me."
Feel free to use this in your daily conversation.
Skydiving: maybe a little bit scary.
Especially if Michael and his "phrase of the day" lessons are around.
Michael, btw, shouldn't you be writing the Turbonegro review instead of harassing the online community?
Love you and Thank you.
resident Persian-American checking in
and her name is pronounced Khok-poor
like "khok", the Arabic and Persian words for dirt
hence to be of the dirt, khaki, like the pants
and you silly Americans think you came up with that yourselves
i'll be there for the dinner and drinks beforehand
and 80's at Heaven is conveniently next door afterwards
feel free to join us
Ha. You said Cock Poor.
nooooo
i said, khok, with a k-h, not a c, son
nice try though
man those free cocktails were superb
it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas with the 12 or so cranberry and vodkas that filled our table, front row and center
great talk
Porochista was gracious with pictures and the signing
looking forward to reading the book