I bought several years ago the new book of a writer I know, Nathan Singer. Young, smart, involved in lots of theater around town, Nathan has a dark vision but a powerful one, and always a unique take on the state of the world. He picks out those details that really illuminate the current state of affairs.
But I knew in the light of you would be dark. And not only do I not watch the news, because I don’t want those images in my head, more and more I’m not even willing to read the news, though I still am willing to listen to it on public radio.
I picked it up on Friday. Flipped it open, was immediately drawn into the story, the violence, the women and men. Nathan is definitely one of the best writers on the planet today. Not a doubt. The power shines through. And under all the darkness, I feel the invincible hope, the reason his characters do not give up and just OD on their drugs, or turn their weapons on themselves.
I googled Nathan and checked his website. He may still be teaching writing at Northern Kentucky University across the river. There is some excellent rap on the site, but not much in the way of new writing.
Nathan is a novelist, playwright, composer and experimental performing artist (who can forget his Howlin’ Wolf? I sure can’t!)> The plays he created here for several small theater companies were so powerful, quirky characters, always that truth shining through. I hope he’s hard (or easy) at work on a new one (or two). Those gifts of his need to be out here!