Wilbo Reads a Book, Sells a Book, Wonks on the Movie

Dear Pal in Portland, in 2000 or so, Charles Baxter of Ann Arbor, Michigan read from "Feast of Love" at the Scarab Club in Detroit's cultural center. I enjoyed hearing him read from an earlier draft.

A few years later, I found the hardcover cheap on the remainder rack. So I picked it up and put it on my bookshelf.

I'm on the bench, so I've been reading books in the morning. So I just read Feast of Love, enjoying it immensely.

Okay, so I'm a single guy, and I'm walking around our local Border's bookstore striking up conversations. I met a woman who is an isomniac, so she buys books by stacks. She had four selected. I opened the conversation with, "so, are you a member of the book of the night club?" She indeed is a member, reading until three in the morning and waking at 5:00 AM, off to run her own business. She had purchased and read almost all the books on the contemporary shelves by the door. She's been evaluating her marriage for years, and we were talking relationship books. So I found her a copy of "Feast of Love", and she threw it on the stack and bought it. She says she's never had a relationship before, although she's been married or in the home of the same man for her entire adult life. If she's 50 years old, she's a very well preserved 50 years old. So why am I telling you this. Well, the paperback cover had a surprise: the novel has finally become a movie.

The paperback is selling well. The movie of the film has been released since the end of September. The story constantly refers to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The coffeehouse is located in Briardale Mall. Locals all know that as Briarwood Mall. Chloe seeks out a fortuneteller on Michigan Avenue in the town of Ypsilanti. Locals all know that infamous strip. Charles Baxter plays a character in the movie, literally an author who seeks out stories on his characters' love lives. He's an isomniac, and so he walks right into the Michigan Wolverine's stadium, where two main characters are making love. But where does Hollywood set the movie? Portland. Where does Hollywood film their movie? Portland. Even our funkiest city can't match Portland. Darn.

Now you officially know I have too much time on my hands.

Feast of Love on the Internet Movie Database.

After the Feast of Love, Wilbo Went Looking for Agape Hour.