Bradley Denton
at Borders
There were no lines reaching around the corner Saturday, June 28. Most of the chairs — set up in the cooking section — went unused. Those who came into Borders Books & Music on a beautiful Saturday afternoon came to hear local writer Bradley Denton read from his latest novel, Lunatics, just out in paperback. As events go, the reading was uneventful. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Lunatics has been described as a work of fantasy or science fiction. But this humorous, clothing-optional take on a moonlit night was better described by Denton as containing real people in a real time with a supernatural element. Jack is a man at the center of Denton’s middle-aged cast of real people — a man who finds himself outdoors, “bare ass,” and in love. The year is 1993 and the setting is Austin, Texas (the first chapter includes references to The Austin Chronicle and the Avenue B Grocery). Lily, the supernatural element, is a moon goddess and the object of Jack’s nude offering.
There was no introduction. Denton knew everyone by name, either by just having met them informally or as friends who came to show their support. The author of previous novels that include Blackburn, Wrack and Roll, and Buddy Holly is Alive and Well on Ganymede, chose to read the first chapter of his latest book.
As Lunatics opens, “Jack was naked, and it was night, and cold.” So begins the history of their romance, Lily’s and Jack’s, a relationship that finds Jack in an odd way and those around him asking questions. The scene ends with Lily gone, the arrival of the men in blue, and Jack, still naked, and in a state of “what one of his old girlfriends had called ‘perky.'”
After the short reading, the crowd, or rather eight or so people, left, a couple staying behind to ask questions. But just as large crowds do not always indicate quality, the sparsity of attendance shows that Lunatics is just another of Austin’s better-kept secrets. — Jeremy Reed
This article appears in July 25 • 1997 and July 25 • 1997 (Cover).