_"...__Alexie hammers away at ever-simmering issues, like racism,

          -_Publishers Weekly_ (starred review) 

  

Sherman Alexie, author of the recently published "Blasphemy,"a

Described by The New York Times Book Review as "one of the major

Sherman Alexie’s stature as a writer of stories, poetry, and

A bold and irreverent observer of life among Native Americans in the

"Blasphemy," released in October 2012, quickly made lists of the

An indispensable Alexie collection, _Blasphemy _reminds us, on every

_"...__Alexie hammers away at ever-simmering issues, like racism, addiction, and infidelity, using a no-holds-barred approach and seamlessly shattering the boundary between character and reader. But while these glimpses into a harried and conflicted humanity prod our consciousness, there's plenty of bawdiness and Alexie's signature wicked humor throughout to balance out the weight."_           -_Publishers Weekly_ (starred review)   Sherman Alexie, author of the recently published "Blasphemy,"a collection of 30 short stories, is featured in a free book talk and signing at 7 pm. on Tuesday, April 30 at the Urban Grace Church, 902 Market Street in downtown Tacoma.  The book talk is free and no ticket is required.  Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.  More information is available at www.tacomapublicliabrary.org [1] or by telephoning the library at (153) 292-2001. Described by The New York Times Book Review as "one of the major lyric voices of our time” and by Men’s Journal as "the world’s first fast-talking and wisecracking mediagenic American-Indian superstar,” Alexie tells tales of contemporary American Indian life laced with razor-sharp humor, unsettling candor and biting wit. Sherman Alexie’s stature as a writer of stories, poetry, and novels has soared over the course of his twenty-book, twenty-year career. His wide-ranging, acclaimed fiction throughout the last two decades, from _The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven _to his most recent PEN/Faulkner Award–winning _War Dances, _have established him as a star in contemporary American literature. A bold and irreverent observer of life among Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, the daring, versatile, funny, and outrageous Alexie showcases his many talents in _Blasphemy. _Included in the collection  are some of his most esteemed tales, including “What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” in which a homeless Indian man quests to win back a family heirloom; “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” a road-trip morality tale; “The Toughest Indian in the World,” about a night shared between a writer and a hitchhiker; and his most recent, “War Dances,” about a man grappling with sudden hearing loss in the wake of his father’s death. Alexie’s new stories are fresh and quintessential, about donkey basket­ball leagues, lethal wind turbines, a twenty-four hour Asian manicure salon, good and bad marriages, and all species of warriors in America today. "Blasphemy," released in October 2012, quickly made lists of the year’s top books by Kirkus Review, The New York Times and National Public Radio. An indispensable Alexie collection, _Blasphemy _reminds us, on every thrilling page, why he is one of our greatest contemporary writers and a true master of the short story. David Domkoski Community Relations Manager 253.292.2001   ext. 1220 Take the Tacoma Public Library with you wherever you go! Download our mobile app at tacoma.boopsie.com or at the iTunes App Store. ------------------------- Email sent using TPLmail Links: ------ [1] http://www.tacomapublicliabrary.org/