Because Charles Blackstone has so much in common with Peter Hapworth, the narrator of his new novel, Vintage Attraction, it’s tempting to imagine it’s a roman a clef. Both are literary fellows: Blackstone is the managing editor of the online journal Bookslut, while Hapworth is a hapless and unhappy freshman comp instructor. And both marry sommeliers who have become local celebrities.
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Blackstone’s spouse is Alpana Singh, former host of Check, Please!, now co-owner of the Boarding House. Hapworth’s is Isabelle Conway, host of a popular PBS program called Vintage Attraction in which ordinary folks get together to chat about wine. Izzy, like Singh, has the rare talent of making pinots and zinfandels accessible to the average drinker.
All is bliss, until it’s not. Izzy seems to grow indifferent to the love of her life, if not downright annoyed. Hapworth is mystified.
By Charles Blackstone (Pegasus) Reading Thu 10/24, 7 PM the Book Cellar 4736 N. Lincolnbookcellarinc.com free
