A year-round book festival dedicated to great conversations with today's best writers.

Tom Perrotta

Described as “that rare combination: a satirist with a heart” (The Seattle Times), Perrotta has earned critical acclaim and the adoration of book clubs across the country for his biting, empathetic novels about American life. He is best known for popular books “Election,” which was adapted into a hit film starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick, and “Little Children,” which was turned into an award-winning film starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson that earned three Oscar nominations, including one for Perrotta for Best Adapted Screenplay. His most recent book, “The Abstinence Teacher,” is currently being adapted for the screen by Oscar-nominated director Lisa Cholodenko (“The Kids Are All Right”) for a 2012 release.

In Perrotta’s most recent novel, “The Leftovers,” the author explores thought-provoking themes of love, connection and loss as a small suburban town is caught up in the chaos of a mysterious global event called the Sudden Departure. Is it the Rapture? Or something more sinister? And how will those left behind pick up the pieces of their shattered lives? A powerful and deeply moving book about people struggling to hold on to their beliefs, “The Leftovers” has garnered such strong advance buzz that HBO recently announced it’s hired Perrotta to develop an hour-long drama series for the network based on the book.

Perrotta appeared with the National Writers Series on September 15, 2011.  Perrotta took the City Opera House stage to discuss the new book and HBO television project, plus his previous novels and works for the screen. The evening also included a pre-event live performance by popular singer-songwriter Samantha Crawford, as well as an audience Q&A and post-event reception and book signing with the author.

 Praise for “The Leftover”:

Tom Perrotta Ponders End of Days in ‘Leftovers‘ – Chicago Sun-Times, August 25

After the Rapture, Who Are ‘The Leftovers’? – NPR, August 25

The Eerie Aftermath of a Mass Exit (written by Stephen King) – NY Times, August 25

Just Like That, Half the World Has Departed – NY Times, August 24