When Heidi Hoogstra, a Pageturners leader at the Hollywood Library, introduced Mr. Willy Vlautin to a crowd that filled the community room, his first comment was “I’m the last guy in the world who should be sitting in front of a group of people talking about a book.” That comment typified the humility with which he spoke and responded to questions, and set the easy, relaxed tone for the evening.
The Story Behind Lean on Pete
Vlautin moved to Portland from Reno and found himself looking for places that reminded him of home. He discovered Portland Meadows and fell in love with racing and racehorses, but he waited ten years before he even made friends with a jockey. He said that going to the track was like going to the library – lots of tables, everybody keeping to themselves except the focus was on racing forms instead of books. Vlautin started Lean on Pete, his third novel, at one of those tables.
As much as he liked the track, he was conflicted by the treatment of both the horses and jockeys who have to look at the horses as “tools.” This conflict, a central theme in Lean on Pete provides the impetus for the actions of his main character, Charley Thompson, a “green” boy who at 15 felt close to independence, to being his own man with a job and a car.
Although the author himself said he could be “cynical and dark-minded,” Charley’s optimism and kind heart got him out of bed every morning for the two years that it took to write Lean on Pete. Many of the other characters in the book are “mentally scarred,” but Charley isn’t, although Vlautin added a cautious “yet.” Charley could potentially become one of the people he meets on his travels throughout the novel, people he sees through the darker side of himself. However, Vlautin reminded us that Charley does eventually find his long lost aunt, who is, fittingly enough, a librarian who checks out books for him to read. Vlautin surely knows his audience!
Audience Feedback
The Pageturners who showed up to hear this speaker were typical of the genre–friendly, literate, enthusiastic about reading, and great questioners.
If you’ve thought about joining a group, but are perhaps feeling a bit shy or intimidated (or think you’ll be bored), read what Nevenka Anastas has to say, “I attended a Pageturners gathering at the Capitol Hill Branch. The author, Willy Vlautin was there to discuss his book, Lean on Pete. I am not a regular member of the group, but was easily accepted into the meeting. I really appreciated how the discussion was run and the opportunity to hear this author talk about his books. I have been to book readings, lectures and other book groups and never got as much out of them as I did this one. Glad so many people got to hear Willy talk.”
About Willy Vlautin
Willy Vlautin has a website where you can find out about his present and future endeavors in writing and music – he is the lead singer and songwriter for Richmond Fontaine, an alternative country band - and also read his gracious thank you to FOL and the ten Pageturners groups at which he spoke. Visit willyvlautin.com/the-latest
