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Art in America Audiobook
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(3.05) - 202 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Author of the acclaimed novel The Memory of Running, Ron McLarty is an American original whose infectious prose will swiftly ensnare any reader. Art in America tells the story of unknown writer Steven Kearney, an aging man whose lifelong commitment to his art finally brings him to homelessness in NYC. Then miraculously he receives an invitation to become playwright in residence of a troubled Rocky Mountain town.
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"Really a funny, fun book. It reminded me quite a bit of Dave Barry's Big Trouble, with its wry, dry humor that manages to touch on realities of people and places. Nothing too profound, but an enjoyable detour from everyday life."
— Alexandra (4 out of 5 stars)
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“One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest meets A Confederacy of Dunces. McLarty’s storytelling skills shine in this ribald, riotously funny, but also poignant novel. You’ll never look at the theater or the state of Colorado in quite the same way after reading it.”
— David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“McLarty delivers a rollicking, Rabelaisian tale of common sense and neighborliness run amok in picturesque rural Colorado. Underpinning the plot is a serious, contentious issue—the right of eminent domain—and the clash of public and private interests in a terrain of pristine beauty produces a zesty bouillabaise.”
— Austin Chronicle -
“Ambitious and consistently charming…Steven’s relocation sparks a colorful fish-out-of-water story populated with cowboys, environmental activists, hordes of reporters, performance artists, ecoterrorists, and bona fide outlaws.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“An actor adept at entertaining and holding an audience shows himself a novelist gifted with the same skills…An immensely engaging and winning performance.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Delightful…McLarty affects a bewildered delivery and a leisurely pace, making his observations about the colorful characters living in the hamlet of Creedemore both insightful and funny…both hopeful and hilarious.”
— AudioFile -
“McLarty works the whole spectrum here, from the hilarious banter of old cowpokes to the halting romance between the playwright and a mural artist to the incredibly moving moments when the town sheriff, still grieving from the death of his old partner, invokes the late cop’s street wisdom. A bighearted, wildly entertaining novel from a writer who just gets better with every outing.”
— Booklist
Art in America Listener Reviews
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" This author writes in an unusual way. I have enjoyed his other two books and this one was the same. "
— Mindy, 2/20/2014 -
" Sometimes drifts into stereotypes, but has great and abundant love for its characters, its setting (Colorado) and its topic (how theater can move people). I was charmed. "
— Joe, 2/1/2014 -
" It's quirky and and filled with imperfect, flawed people. Enjoyed it. Also liked his earlier one, The memory of Running. "
— Susan, 1/29/2014 -
" An unpublished author finds himself homeless when his girlfriend kicks him out. He ends up accepting a job in Creedmore, Colorado writing the town's history into a play. Steven Kearney, the playwright, meets the characters who inhabit and fight over what is best for Creedmore. I like McLarty's storytelling ability, but wish he would use less profanity. "
— Linda, 1/5/2014 -
" Populated by a delightful cast of characters (especially Reedy, who's been dead for awhile now); some of the plot elements are a little cliched, but easily McLarty's best book. "
— Christian, 12/16/2013 -
" Loved it.. funny smart interesting characters. "
— Julia, 11/30/2013 -
" A funny and ultimately affecting novel about a failed playwright who winds up in Colorado trying to chronicle the eccentric life of a very small town. "
— Elizabeth, 11/14/2013 -
" Lengthy - but well written. I wanted a better conclusion. "
— Lisa, 10/12/2013 -
" Kind of a manic tale. I am proud of myself for finishing it. Normally I would have returned a book I wasn't enjoying tot he library unfinished. "
— Elizabeth, 8/5/2013 -
" We listened to Ron's audio version (for the second time). Love his words and his voice ... "
— Karl, 5/15/2013 -
" Not a good novel, sadly. "
— Greg, 2/12/2012 -
" had a lot of potential but ultimately dissapoints "
— Lance, 12/31/2011 -
" It was a little slow at the beginning but once it started to get good, it got me hooked. "
— Samantha, 12/10/2011 -
" The memory of Running by Ron McLarty was exceptional, but I didn't care for this one, or his book before this one. "
— Sarah, 11/24/2011 -
" I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. It had a lot of characteristics of what I guess I would call American post-modernism. But the plot was entertaining and all came together in an extremely satisfying way. "
— Amanda, 9/17/2011 -
" Love the rhythm in McLarty's writing. You can literally feel the pace similarities between this and his Memory of Running. A true community of characters here, and I found myself rooting for nearly everyone. "
— Jaime, 9/10/2011 -
" A new favorite contemporary author right up there with Richard Russo. "
— Jolene, 8/25/2011 -
" A new favorite contemporary author right up there with Richard Russo. "
— Jolene, 3/5/2011 -
" Loved it.. funny smart interesting characters. "
— Julia, 9/20/2010 -
" Love the rhythm in McLarty's writing. You can literally feel the pace similarities between this and his Memory of Running. A true community of characters here, and I found myself rooting for nearly everyone. <br/> "
— Jaime, 2/23/2010 -
" Kind of a manic tale. I am proud of myself for finishing it. Normally I would have returned a book I wasn't enjoying tot he library unfinished. "
— Elizabeth, 4/27/2009 -
" The memory of Running by Ron McLarty was exceptional, but I didn't care for this one, or his book before this one. "
— Sarah, 4/23/2009 -
" Lengthy - but well written. I wanted a better conclusion. "
— Lisa, 2/11/2009 -
" Sometimes drifts into stereotypes, but has great and abundant love for its characters, its setting (Colorado) and its topic (how theater can move people). I was charmed. "
— Joe, 12/5/2008
About Ron McLarty
Ron McLarty is a veteran actor of television, film, and stage as well as an award-winning audiobook narrator. He has more than 100 television appearances to his credit, including as a series regular on Spencer for Hire and Law & Order. His film career began in 1977 with a performance in The Sentinel and continued with such films as The Postman, Flamingo Kid, and, most recently, How Do You Know? His stage credits include Broadway and other productions. He has narrated more than 100 audiobooks, earning nine Earphones Awards and recognition by AudioFile magazine as a Best Voice in Mystery & Suspense in 2009 and 2010. He has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Awards and then won the award in 2001 for Best Mystery Narration. He is also an accomplished playwright and an acclaimed novelist.