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Art in America
Taking a three-month stint as a playwright-in-residence at Colorado's Creedemore Historical Society, bumbling writer Steven Kearney is commissioned to write a play based on the town's history, but his efforts are complicated by a local land dispute, an extreme activist group, and a media frenzy. 35,000 first printing.
366 pages, Hardcover
First published July 3, 2008
15 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Ron McLarty
155 books151 followersA native of East Providence, RI—Ron McLarty is a veteran actor, accomplished playwright, prolific audiobook narrator and acclaimed novelist.
McLarty is also noted for his body of work as one of the country’s leading audiobook narrators having done over 100 titles including the narration of books authored by Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Richard Russo, Elmore Leonard, Ed McBain, David Baldacci and Scott Turow, among many others.
He lives in New York City with his wife, the actress Kate Skinner.
McLarty is also noted for his body of work as one of the country’s leading audiobook narrators having done over 100 titles including the narration of books authored by Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Richard Russo, Elmore Leonard, Ed McBain, David Baldacci and Scott Turow, among many others.
He lives in New York City with his wife, the actress Kate Skinner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 21, 2020
I have read two other book by this author so I was really looking forward to this one, but I have to give it up as a DNF.
Main character Steven Kearney is a playwright/author/poet who has a stack of never published manuscripts averaging close to 2000 pages for each title. We meet him just when his girlfriend is moving out (with most of his stuff and all of his money) and he gets evicted practically at the same moment for not paying rent (he was giving cash to the girlfriend, who was supposed to be giving it to the landlord).
I wanted to know what happened to get him from this point to Colorado, but apparently not badly enough to keep plowing through the coarse language filling nearly every page. And when the scene shifted to introduce Colorado and explain why our wannabe author was offered the post of temporary Playwright In Residence, the whole situation became too bizarre for me to continue with.
I found a bookmark tucked a little over halfway through the book. It was a boarding pass for a flight on Southwest Airlines back in 2017. That reader got much farther along than I did! I wonder what she thought of it all?
DNF at around page 50.
Main character Steven Kearney is a playwright/author/poet who has a stack of never published manuscripts averaging close to 2000 pages for each title. We meet him just when his girlfriend is moving out (with most of his stuff and all of his money) and he gets evicted practically at the same moment for not paying rent (he was giving cash to the girlfriend, who was supposed to be giving it to the landlord).
I wanted to know what happened to get him from this point to Colorado, but apparently not badly enough to keep plowing through the coarse language filling nearly every page. And when the scene shifted to introduce Colorado and explain why our wannabe author was offered the post of temporary Playwright In Residence, the whole situation became too bizarre for me to continue with.
I found a bookmark tucked a little over halfway through the book. It was a boarding pass for a flight on Southwest Airlines back in 2017. That reader got much farther along than I did! I wonder what she thought of it all?
DNF at around page 50.
April 28, 2015
Be ready to settle in and watch a master juggler at work. Art In America has storyline after storyline after storyline. As you read, you can feel the storylines starting to cross and converge, until the author manages to pull them all together at a completely satisfying end.
I don't think it's possible for McLarty to write simple. I picture him at his desk with five different computer screens. The screen in the middle: the overall story. The two to either side: the storylines. McLarty's sweeping gaze draws them all together.
I even ended up liking the "bad guys" in the book!
That's all I'm going to say. Other than read it. The book is incredible.
I don't think it's possible for McLarty to write simple. I picture him at his desk with five different computer screens. The screen in the middle: the overall story. The two to either side: the storylines. McLarty's sweeping gaze draws them all together.
I even ended up liking the "bad guys" in the book!
That's all I'm going to say. Other than read it. The book is incredible.
September 20, 2008
Very entertaining. Steven Kearney has written thousands of pages of poetry, short stories and some of the longest novels in the history of the form. None of them were published. So, when the small town of Creedemore, CO asks him to write a play for their historical society's extravaganza, he moves from New York to Colorado.
Unfortunately, his arrival coincides with regional political/environmental upheaval and while he struggles with his own doubts about his artistic abilities, he meets a woman he falls in love with, and he is swept up in the confrontation of man vs. nature, the nature of man, man's "rights" to nature, and is caught between the opposing forces determined to impose their rule on a land rich in history and beauty.
There is lots of humor here. The characters are rich and varied, and McLarty explores the connection between art, man, nature, and the difficulty in finding the harmony between them. Like his first book, "The Memory of Running" McLarty has a way of making you laugh, and then wanting to cry at his characters' predicaments. Well worth the read.
Unfortunately, his arrival coincides with regional political/environmental upheaval and while he struggles with his own doubts about his artistic abilities, he meets a woman he falls in love with, and he is swept up in the confrontation of man vs. nature, the nature of man, man's "rights" to nature, and is caught between the opposing forces determined to impose their rule on a land rich in history and beauty.
There is lots of humor here. The characters are rich and varied, and McLarty explores the connection between art, man, nature, and the difficulty in finding the harmony between them. Like his first book, "The Memory of Running" McLarty has a way of making you laugh, and then wanting to cry at his characters' predicaments. Well worth the read.
December 23, 2008
I love Ron McLarty, and I enjoyed this book, but as some other reviewers mentioned, the amount of profanity was, I thought, excessive, and I was getting VERY tired of one particular character (the dead one) to the point that several times I really wanted to just stop listening (I listened to the audio book version). It made me feel very frustrated.
Ron McLarty does a great job of reading his own work, and I love the "every man" characters that he creates. I just think this one went a little too far overboard as far as language and the constant presence of the sheriff's dead partner.
Ron McLarty does a great job of reading his own work, and I love the "every man" characters that he creates. I just think this one went a little too far overboard as far as language and the constant presence of the sheriff's dead partner.
September 16, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed McLarty's first book, Memory of Running, and wanted to explore him again. This one, frankly, was not as good, but it is good enough to finish.
It is about an East Coast struggling playwrite who has an opportunity to be an artist in residence in a small Colorado town to write a play of its history. He steps into a major conflict, one so big it makes national news. Can art bring the divided town back together again?
At times this book grated on my nerves-- its way of romanticizing small town wisdom and "aw shucks" simplicity while vilifying artists and intellectuals seems to be bending over backwards to appeal to a certain audience. The main conflict was not believable in how it became national news because it was not all that interesting. However, this book did have some endearing characters and it moved fast enough to help you forget the implausibilities.
It is about an East Coast struggling playwrite who has an opportunity to be an artist in residence in a small Colorado town to write a play of its history. He steps into a major conflict, one so big it makes national news. Can art bring the divided town back together again?
At times this book grated on my nerves-- its way of romanticizing small town wisdom and "aw shucks" simplicity while vilifying artists and intellectuals seems to be bending over backwards to appeal to a certain audience. The main conflict was not believable in how it became national news because it was not all that interesting. However, this book did have some endearing characters and it moved fast enough to help you forget the implausibilities.
June 22, 2025
From bookreporter
"McLarty has all the requisite charm and colorful characters, but at
times, the sheer number of individuals and situations seems to take
away from the main narrative. Although it lacks the clear vision of
his two earlier novels, ART IN AMERICA does display McLarty's
talent as an author, which manages to shine clearly through the
haze, as readers get caught up in the story unfolding before
them."
Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller on January 5, 2011
"McLarty has all the requisite charm and colorful characters, but at
times, the sheer number of individuals and situations seems to take
away from the main narrative. Although it lacks the clear vision of
his two earlier novels, ART IN AMERICA does display McLarty's
talent as an author, which manages to shine clearly through the
haze, as readers get caught up in the story unfolding before
them."
Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller on January 5, 2011
August 4, 2022
Could not finish reading it, although it did interest me the way the author would converge all the storylines... It was just not my story. Something about all the characters was offputting and depressive.
August 15, 2025
A great story, with lots of hilarious and meaningful culture clashes .. NYC vs the West; Front Range academics vs. Cowboys; thinkers vs. doers. It helped that I have been to Creede, CO and love theater.
August 5, 2021
Wandering yarn that got lost. Had to leave it unfinished.
June 5, 2024
I dragged myself through this book. Should have been a DNF.
November 26, 2020
Couldn't finish the book. I completely lost interest in Mr. McLarty's sick characters and their self-inflicted plights. I couldn't find anything funny, and certainly nothing heartwarming in the their depressing lives of useless dissipation. If, through his characters, it was Mr. McLarty's intent to illustrate the pathetic state of much of art in America today, then I apologize that I couldn't wade through enough vomit to get the point.
March 17, 2009
I had listened to two audioooks by this author and really liked both. The author narrated the books himself, and I thought he had a very pleasing voice and reading style. I had wondered if that made me enjoy the books more than if I had read them myself. After reading this book for myself, I can say that I still really enjoyed it, even if it might have been slightly more enjoyable having the author read it to me.
The book starts with the quirky lead character, un-produced playwrite Stephen Kearney, living in NYC with his lesbian best friend and acting teacher, Roarke. Soon Stephen is asked to move to Creedmore, CO, and write a historical play about the town. In Colorado, we're introduced to a whole cast of eccentric characters, including 'Cowboy Bob', the resident cowboy-poet, and town sheriff Petey Myers, a recent transplant from Boston who often has conversations with his dead partner. There are many different story lines going on at the same time too.
Initially I wondered if this was all too much to keep track of, and a little over the top. I do feel like some of the minor characters could have been cut without losing anything, but I found myself really warming up to many of the characters, and really caring about seeing their stories resolved. I especially came to appreciate the playwrite Stephen, and was happy to see his story end well.
The book starts with the quirky lead character, un-produced playwrite Stephen Kearney, living in NYC with his lesbian best friend and acting teacher, Roarke. Soon Stephen is asked to move to Creedmore, CO, and write a historical play about the town. In Colorado, we're introduced to a whole cast of eccentric characters, including 'Cowboy Bob', the resident cowboy-poet, and town sheriff Petey Myers, a recent transplant from Boston who often has conversations with his dead partner. There are many different story lines going on at the same time too.
Initially I wondered if this was all too much to keep track of, and a little over the top. I do feel like some of the minor characters could have been cut without losing anything, but I found myself really warming up to many of the characters, and really caring about seeing their stories resolved. I especially came to appreciate the playwrite Stephen, and was happy to see his story end well.
November 4, 2014
Art in America carried a few too many pastel colors for me. I read the Memory of Running (or rather listened to it via audio books) and fell in love with it. I purchased Art in America because I wanted to read more by this author to see if his same creative writing style remained but it fell a bit short for me. Art in America is story of Steven Kearney who is an overweight man who doubts his abilities, talents and self worth (hmmm, sounds like Memory of Running). He takes on a momentous job of writing and directing a play about the history of a town -- to be played by the townspeople. There are some colorful characters (my favorite being the most elderly couple Ticky and Minnie Lettgo)but I just felt I could never really connect with any of them. Throughout the book, I just kept feeling like I had read a similar story, that was leading in a similar direction and in the end, had a similar closure as something I had read before. I think it was the author's other book, The Memory of Running. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed that I spent as much time as I did to read basically the same story but in a different setting. Oh well, I can't say I didn't give the author a chance.
November 18, 2008
I started this book once before and put in down because of the great amount of swearing. This time I stuck with it and got pass to find a sweet and funny sentimental story. The nominal hero is a writer who hasn't never been published who is hired by the Historical Society of a small town out West
to write and produce a play presenting the town's history. But several characters, among them the Sherrif and a Rancher, are fully developedand their story line was as important to me as that of the writer. I believe it is because the outcome of writer Steve's story and romance is clear early on in the book. doesn who was Boston Cop and left to take this job in a quiet small town after his partner Reedy is shot and killed, is always quoting Reedy and asking himself what would Reed.Steve, the Sheriff and the rancher streams of conscience are what endeared the characters to me. While the charcters are almost simplelist I found myself interesed and wanting to find out what happens to them. Once into the story, I never wanted to not finish it. Give it a chance if you like cozy mysteries and the Jan Karon series
to write and produce a play presenting the town's history. But several characters, among them the Sherrif and a Rancher, are fully developedand their story line was as important to me as that of the writer. I believe it is because the outcome of writer Steve's story and romance is clear early on in the book. doesn who was Boston Cop and left to take this job in a quiet small town after his partner Reedy is shot and killed, is always quoting Reedy and asking himself what would Reed.Steve, the Sheriff and the rancher streams of conscience are what endeared the characters to me. While the charcters are almost simplelist I found myself interesed and wanting to find out what happens to them. Once into the story, I never wanted to not finish it. Give it a chance if you like cozy mysteries and the Jan Karon series
June 19, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this new book by Ron McLarty. He creates wonderful characters, and in the end we rejoice in their triumphs. Artists and sheriffs, environmentalists and landowners, strong women and young punks, and in the middle of them all is playwright Steven Kearney, a stranger to this town whose work brings everyone together in a colossal outdoor theatre event. I definitely recommend it!
My favorite quote:
What is it, Steven Kearney wondered as they crawled under the covers, that ladles such confusions over the world? He did not want the balance of art and life any longer. The search was a poor one - bogus, he would say now. He would put art below life, certainly below love. If his contentment, his joy with Molly, more complete than he had ever imagined, could be wobbled by the fear for his art, the looming terror of his exposure as a fraud, an impostor, then why had he spent his life doing it? The scenes in him mind at the end of the day, the actors walking away, the casual snicerk of recognition that Steven Kearney was who he was. Who he had always feared he would become.
My favorite quote:
What is it, Steven Kearney wondered as they crawled under the covers, that ladles such confusions over the world? He did not want the balance of art and life any longer. The search was a poor one - bogus, he would say now. He would put art below life, certainly below love. If his contentment, his joy with Molly, more complete than he had ever imagined, could be wobbled by the fear for his art, the looming terror of his exposure as a fraud, an impostor, then why had he spent his life doing it? The scenes in him mind at the end of the day, the actors walking away, the casual snicerk of recognition that Steven Kearney was who he was. Who he had always feared he would become.
June 7, 2016
The Memory of Running and Traveller were two books I embraced and even bought for others to read. I thought that McClarty's fine characterizations and easy going style of prose made for wonderful reading. But I am sorry to say this book was a chaotic mess, filled with too many sub-plots, half developed characters and a terf war going on that I found just too hard to follow. I dould not keep the characters straight, and quite honestly after reading 174 pages had so little interest in the plot, that the effort it took to follow was not worth it.
This book is surely written well, and the premise could make for an interesting read, but it just never seemed to settle. The book was all style and had no heart, something that McLarty's other books possessed.
I would have found a book about Steven's literary efforts, his insane ex-wife and his Manhattan friends would have been much more fullfilling, but McClarty chose this whole Colorado land war issue to develop and the book just fell flat. It was just plain boring, tedious to get through.
I know McClarty has another Memory of Running in him, but forget this one. It just does not work at all.
This book is surely written well, and the premise could make for an interesting read, but it just never seemed to settle. The book was all style and had no heart, something that McLarty's other books possessed.
I would have found a book about Steven's literary efforts, his insane ex-wife and his Manhattan friends would have been much more fullfilling, but McClarty chose this whole Colorado land war issue to develop and the book just fell flat. It was just plain boring, tedious to get through.
I know McClarty has another Memory of Running in him, but forget this one. It just does not work at all.
August 14, 2016
What a story! What a writer! What an odd title for a book about a failed New York author/playwright transplanted to Colorado in the midst of a range war. Although I understand the significance of the title to a story about a playwright, a muralist, a director and some 70 actors performing an epic about the founding of a small town, it does not come close to encompassing the sprawling and hilarious nature of the story. Among those we meet are Sheriff Petey Myers, formerly of the Boston PD, who converses with his dead partner; 96-year 0ld Ticky Lettgo, riverfront property owner with a habit of shooting first and asking questions later or not at all; a bald female artist who wears a bowler hat; and a host of cowboys, store owners, academics and revolutionaries.
This book was a delight to read but I will admit that I was already a Ron McClarty fan before I knew this book existed. His first two books: The Memory of Running and Traveler are also great favorites of mine.
This book was a delight to read but I will admit that I was already a Ron McClarty fan before I knew this book existed. His first two books: The Memory of Running and Traveler are also great favorites of mine.
November 13, 2012
Wanted to like this. COMPLETELY unpublished wannabe authour (he's so wrapped up in his work he dosn't notice the furniture's missing & his girlfriend is leaving him) suddenly has a dream job fall into his lap - write a history play for a small Western town's anniversary. Only problem - the town's filled with gun toting nuts and hippies, and is on the verge of civil war...
I just didn't find the characters or story really interesting. McLarty draws very good portraits of these people.(He's brave enough to make the main gun toter rather sympathetic).
But, aside from the hero's adventures with his girlfriend (howlingly funny), I couldn't find anyone or any situation to enjoy. I appreciate it's well written (although I wish he'd stop giving us conversations where you have to figure out who's talking - irritating), and has well drawn characters.
But it just wasn't that funny or moving. And it's parody of literary/arts/country types was weak. Sorry but.
I just didn't find the characters or story really interesting. McLarty draws very good portraits of these people.(He's brave enough to make the main gun toter rather sympathetic).
But, aside from the hero's adventures with his girlfriend (howlingly funny), I couldn't find anyone or any situation to enjoy. I appreciate it's well written (although I wish he'd stop giving us conversations where you have to figure out who's talking - irritating), and has well drawn characters.
But it just wasn't that funny or moving. And it's parody of literary/arts/country types was weak. Sorry but.
January 23, 2013
This book is unusual. The characters are unusual, the plot is unusual, the setting is unusual. Sometimes that's good and sometimes that's bad. There are so many characters in this book it is a little difficult to keep them straight at first, but once they settle into their roles it's not as bad. I started out really liking the book, and then it started to drag, but then it picked up in the last 100 pages or so. To me, the supporting characters in the book are much more interesting than the main characters. The artists are interesting, but the law man, the rancher and the domestic terrorist held my interest more than the storylines about the art. It's my least favorite of McLarty's three books. (By the way, Ron McLarty has one of the most interesting stories of how he got published of any writer I've known. Google Ron McLarty and Stephen King.)
September 2, 2014
What a fun book. Ron McLarty is a clever guy and a great narrator. Having read another of his books, I looked forward to this audio version - he narrates himself which is always enjoyable.
A charming group of characters brought together into a beautiful tapestry - or should I say mural. Quirky? Yes, but so what. We all know at least two of these people - probably more, if we are honest. I really like how McLarty brought them all together in a situation that could actually happen. Thinking about the story still gives me a warm and cozy feeling.
The author skillfully (in my opinion) showed that no matter how one appears on the outside you never know what is going on inside. The exception, of course, is the Sheriff the most eccentric of the characters (again IMO).
Most enjoyable and well narrated story about the power of friends and a (good humored) jab at some others.
A charming group of characters brought together into a beautiful tapestry - or should I say mural. Quirky? Yes, but so what. We all know at least two of these people - probably more, if we are honest. I really like how McLarty brought them all together in a situation that could actually happen. Thinking about the story still gives me a warm and cozy feeling.
The author skillfully (in my opinion) showed that no matter how one appears on the outside you never know what is going on inside. The exception, of course, is the Sheriff the most eccentric of the characters (again IMO).
Most enjoyable and well narrated story about the power of friends and a (good humored) jab at some others.
November 9, 2008
Sections of this book were thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking. Its goal seemed to be to look at how art (in different forms) can influence the average american or reflect the average american's experience.
While reading the less dynamic portions of the novel, it's difficult not to imagine how much more developed some of the characters and stories may be in the author's mind than how they appeared on the pages of his book. He obviously loves these characters, and it appeared that he wanted to include as much story as he possible could related to this community of people. Parts of it just weren't compelling and tended to break up the novel in an unpleasant way as if one were eating sugar cookies in between bites of lasagna.
So, I marginally recommend the book.
While reading the less dynamic portions of the novel, it's difficult not to imagine how much more developed some of the characters and stories may be in the author's mind than how they appeared on the pages of his book. He obviously loves these characters, and it appeared that he wanted to include as much story as he possible could related to this community of people. Parts of it just weren't compelling and tended to break up the novel in an unpleasant way as if one were eating sugar cookies in between bites of lasagna.
So, I marginally recommend the book.
November 14, 2008
Sometimes I get the feeling that an author really enjoys the world he created, and wants to keep hanging out in it. This was one of those times. The book has a lot of secondary characters and subplots, but while all of them are lively, I started to feel like some were a little...indulgent. Like maybe they should have been cut. Didn't stop me loving the whole book, though.
The story is basically a comedy, with fistfights, cowboys, mid life crises, spiritual crises, land-use battles, courtroom theatrics, world-weary cops, love affairs, Colorado history, and Theater with a capital T. And it has a great sense of humor. I was holding my breath a couple of times, and laughing often. Good stuff.
May 1, 2010
Steve Kearney is not a success in the traditional sense of the word. He has written many plays and books and poetry but nothing has been published. His live-in girlfriend moved out and cleaned out his bank account too, so he is staying with a friend, a long term friend who loves theater and happens to be lesbian.
Then out of the blue, Steve gets an invitation to be playwright in residence in Creedemore, Colorado and write a play about the history of the town. The local fine historical society hopes that an arts experience will help to heal the ongoing disputes that are problems in the town. We get to explore the conflicts that become entrenched in a small community and reflect on the role of art and friends, of learning about ourselves through interacting with others.
Then out of the blue, Steve gets an invitation to be playwright in residence in Creedemore, Colorado and write a play about the history of the town. The local fine historical society hopes that an arts experience will help to heal the ongoing disputes that are problems in the town. We get to explore the conflicts that become entrenched in a small community and reflect on the role of art and friends, of learning about ourselves through interacting with others.
June 9, 2011
I REALLY like Ron McLarty's work. This story is truly amazing. A struggling writer finally gets a break, to write a pageant play to help a mining town in Colorado celebrate its history and diversity, but it requires his leaving the homeless existence that has devolved to him in New York City. The characters are all interestingly portrayed, the dialog is always unfailingly human, and McLarty is not a ham-fisted plot manipulator by any means. This book is even better than his first--The Memory of Running--which was an amazing literary achievement in its own right. Frankly, this author is far more deserving of a Pulitzer or other big-ticket literary award than most of what I see getting plaudits and renown.
October 24, 2013
omg i loved this. it's funny, sprawling but not too big (322pp), There's an
odd huge collection of characters are so well-drawn that you visualize all of them easily. Old ladies, college girls, a tiny skinny old man in his 90s, a 48 year old man (protag) who writes writes writes. Takes place mostly in Colorado. I would love to see a movie of it, with Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Isabella Rossellini, and if we could go back in time that funny little old lady from golden girls. It's a great read...like a relative of A Confederacy of Dunces and Tristram Shandy and a little Flannery O'Connor and a touch of the tV series Deadwood. Yes, I loved it.
odd huge collection of characters are so well-drawn that you visualize all of them easily. Old ladies, college girls, a tiny skinny old man in his 90s, a 48 year old man (protag) who writes writes writes. Takes place mostly in Colorado. I would love to see a movie of it, with Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Isabella Rossellini, and if we could go back in time that funny little old lady from golden girls. It's a great read...like a relative of A Confederacy of Dunces and Tristram Shandy and a little Flannery O'Connor and a touch of the tV series Deadwood. Yes, I loved it.
July 22, 2012
I loved this story, but I had a lot of problems with the execution of the book. McLarty had a habit (bad? In my opinion yes and I hate this when any author does it) of having a running conversation but giving not attribution to which character is speaking. Maybe it's just me but I have a hard time with that. Not to mention a main character (the sherrif)who was always talking to his dead partner and giving way to much backstory on incidental characters. I just think the story would have moved more smoothly without this. The story was great and certain characters I really loved. I think it was worth the read regardless of these issues.
May 29, 2014
McLarty's stories are amazing!
He doesn't fall back and reuse the stuff he wrote last time. He doesn't bore you with technical acronyms or minute details for filler or to prove he knows his subject.
What he does is flesh out real characters in stories that almost have to be true - although they'er not. (As far as I know.)
He is at his best in this story of an artist loose in the middle of America. The supporting characters and subplots are told so well!
McLarty is not trendy. I believe we'll be reading his books like we're still reading Steinbeck or Hemmingway.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
He doesn't fall back and reuse the stuff he wrote last time. He doesn't bore you with technical acronyms or minute details for filler or to prove he knows his subject.
What he does is flesh out real characters in stories that almost have to be true - although they'er not. (As far as I know.)
He is at his best in this story of an artist loose in the middle of America. The supporting characters and subplots are told so well!
McLarty is not trendy. I believe we'll be reading his books like we're still reading Steinbeck or Hemmingway.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
November 3, 2016
A big romp of a book galloping from NYC, a place where Steven Kearney fails every day in every little thing to Creedemore, Colorado, a place where he succeeds most days in most things. He falls in love, he writes a play.
All the marriages are good ones.
The bad guys are really stupid and bad.
The play at the end, surely the most organized, easily produced, and meaningfully wonderful local production I have ever heard of, represents what I imagine RM wants the book to be, a transcendent experience that brings everyone together for a good purpose.
A little sweet for this community theatre veteran to bite down on.
All the marriages are good ones.
The bad guys are really stupid and bad.
The play at the end, surely the most organized, easily produced, and meaningfully wonderful local production I have ever heard of, represents what I imagine RM wants the book to be, a transcendent experience that brings everyone together for a good purpose.
A little sweet for this community theatre veteran to bite down on.
March 19, 2009
Art in America by Ron McLarty follows unpublished author, Steven Kearney, from New York City to the wild West when he is hired by the Creedmore, Colorado, Historical Society to write a play celebrating the town’s history. Meanwhile, a land-rights dispute erupts, pitting cowboys against libertarians and bringing out the worst behavior, as well as the comic aspects, in both groups. Another former Easterner, Sheriff Petey Myers, has to keep the peace off-stage, while Stephen and friends struggle to balance fans and foes of Kit Carson and the like.
April 28, 2009
A wonderful, fun to read story that begins in New York City and moves to Creedmore Colorado. The tale surrounds Steven - in his late 40s - writes plays, essays, novels and has never been published. He supports him self in construction. His work comes to the attention of the historical society of Creedmore and they offer him a salary and a room to write a play about their town. When he gets there, all hell breaks out - not from anything he has done. He finds love, purpose and lots of adventure in southern Colorado - along with plenty of help from his friends in New York.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews