A Literary Evening

When Ian McEwan stepped on stage at the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufman Concert Hall last week, he was met with what many authors would consider quite an intimidating scene. As far as I could see, there was not a single empty seat in the rather large auditorium, and the energized anticipation of the crowd was palpable as well over 200 ticket holders eagerly awaited the witty repartee of one of their most admired authors. Talk about high expectations.

Yet when the slight, somewhat soft-spoken Brit approached the podium and began to read from his just-published novel, On Chesil Beach, the audience – myself included – was immediately enraptured. The lilt of McEwan’s accent perfectly complemented the lyrical tone of his work, and hearing the author personally deliver scenes from his latest tome bestowed a sense of intimacy and privilege upon each member of the audience.

What first drew me to McEwan’s work several years ago was the sheer beauty and stark attention to detail with which he describes everything from the most simple of daily tasks to the most complex of human emotions. His skill as a writer was nicely summed up by colleague Colum McCann, who introduced and then interviewed McEwan at last week’s event. McCann quoted Nabokov, who said, “Here lies the sense of literary creation: to portray ordinary objects as they will be reflected in kindly mirrors of future times…to find in objects around us the fragrant tenderness that only posterity will discern.” McCann then let McEwan show us how his own work does just that.

After an almost 40-minute reading, which left those members of the audience who had not yet picked up a copy of On Chesil Beach very eager to do so, McEwan sat down for a one-on-one interview with McCann. Though seemingly quiet and unassuming, the celebrated author showcased his quick wit and winning charm as he revealed details about where he does most of his writing (in complete solitude), what he was like at age nine (painfully shy), and the clever tool being used to promote his new work (an original short film that will only be screened at select bookstores across the country).

Following the interview was a short audience Q&A, as well as a book signing that prompted a throng of adoring fans to form a snakelike line that wound its way around Kaufman Hall. Though a signed book would have been a lovely souvenir to take away from the evening, I chose not to wait on the labyrinthine line. Instead, I took advantage of the warm June evening by walking home, pleased that Ian McEwan had chosen to make one of his few appearances so close to my doorstep.

For a list of upcoming events, literary or otherwise, hosted by the 92nd Street Y’s Unterberg Poetry Center, click here. And, if you’re under the age of 35, be sure to take advantage of the Young Literary Salon by ordering tickets online for the discounted price of only $10.