Talk of the Stacks: Arthur Phillips

Related Content

• Dropkick Murphys' Al Barr on Garth Brooks, & the Bruisers' breakup
  February 24, 2012
• Eleanor Mondale Poling filmed singing the Suburbs' 'Love is the Law'
  September 20, 2011
• The New Standards issue holiday album to coincide with annual Fitzgerald shows
  December 2, 2011
• Ariel Pink's 'Witchhunt Suite' drops a decade after its recording
  September 13, 2011
• The Suburbs' Chan Poling talks '80s nostalgia, the New Standards, and the possibility of a new album
  July 12, 2011

More About

• Arthur Phillips
• Apple iPod
• Steve Seel
• Julian Donahue
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

In our electronic era, do things like social networking sites, iPods, and text messaging expand communication? Or do they simply exacerbate isolation? This is one of several questions posed in Arthur Phillips's fourth book, The Song Is You (Random House), a novel in which an iTunes playlist or a Billie Holiday album is as much a character as the actual people are. It is also a tale of unlikely love. Julian Donahue is a middle-aged man with a teetering marriage marred by the loss of the couple's son. While reminiscing over the music he has loved throughout his life, he meets Irish rock singer Cait O'Dwyer. They begin their relationship in a thoroughly modern way: from a distance. Communicating through website postings, cell phone videos, and cryptic song lyrics, they come to a mutual appreciation and a shared a love of song. A self-proclaimed failed jazz artist himself, Phillips weaves hundreds of song titles and lyrics throughout the story. His tone is often dark and cruel, but also hilarious, forgiving, and sweet. It's a unique mix that ultimately adds up to a rewarding read. At this talk Steve Seel will moderate, and Chan Poling will provide tunes.
Thu., May 21, 7 p.m., 2009