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Audience
spellbound as Holleran reads from his work
BY SHAUNNA
BENNETT
 From
the moment Andrew Holleran’s richly timbered voice uttered
the words, “In September, the light changes,”—the
opening lines of his short story by the same name—a hush fell
over the sixth floor Butler Board Room.
Holleran, AU writer in residence, ushered listeners into the world
of a group of colorful housemates sharing time and space in an ordinary
Iowa house, which they fill with extraordinary complexity.
Holleran read for about 40 minutes to about 200 listeners, and when
he finished, a spellbound audience eschewed the opportunity for
questions, but formed a line to talk with the author and get a signed
copy of his book.
In September the Light Changes is Holleran’s first book
of short stories and is a New York Times Notable Book of
the Year. His last novel, The Beauty of Man, was also a New York
Times Notable Book of the Year and won the 1997 Ferro-Grumly
Award for best gay novel.
His acclaimed first novel, Dancer from the Dance, has been recognized
by many as the all-time best gay novel to date.
Asked following the reading what is the greatest price he has paid
for choosing the author’s life, Holleran said, “To see
the stories and worry one is over written or . . .” and his
voice trails off. “Well, maybe all writers have that problem,”
he said. “Otherwise it is a joy to write stories. I wish we
could write only stories.”
The next Visiting Writers Series event will be on Wednesday, Oct.
30, at 8 p.m. in the Butler Board Room. AU faculty members, including
Richard McCann, Kermit Moyer, Myra Sklarew, and Henry Taylor, will
read from their works. Proceeds will be donated to Food and Friends.
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