Charles Blackstone (born March 21, 1977)Kevin Frazier, "Wine and Bellow: An Interview with Charles Blackstone," Open Letters Monthly, Fall 2013. is an American writer. His most recent novel is the semi-autobiographical Vintage Attraction (2013).
Early life Blackstone was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is the great grandson of Janet Sobel. He graduated from the University of Illinois at ChicagoKelli Christiansen, "We'll Drink to That," Chicago Book Review, October 11, 2013. and earned a master's degree from the University of Colorado creative writing program in 2003,"Class Notes – March 2013," Coloradan Magazine, March 1, 2013. where he received the Barker Award for Fiction in 2001."Vintage Attraction with Charles Blackstone," citylitbooks.com. Accessed December 20, 2013.
Career
Blackstone's first novel was the avant-garde The Week You Weren't Here (2005), set in Chicago in the spring of 2001.Jill Talbot, "An interview with Charles Blackstone," Word Riot. Accessed December 16, 2013. Using experimental prose, the story follows Hunter Flanagan on his search for true love.Valerie MacEwan, "The Week You Weren't Here by Charles Blackstone," PopMatters, January 20, 2004. Next, he collaborated with Jill Talbot as co-editors of the experimental anthology The Art of Friction: Where (Non)Fictions Come Together (2008),Sabra Embury, "Expedient Pairings: On Charles Blackstone's 'Vintage Attraction'," Los Angeles Review of Books, October 30, 2013. a collection exploring the creative differences between fiction and nonfiction.J. Ryan Stradal, "The Sunday Rumpus Interview: Charles Blackstone," The Rumpus, October 13, 2013. His stories have been published in literary journals including Bridge, Evergreen Review and The Journal of Experimental Fiction. His short story "Before" was published in Esquire in March 2008 as part of the magazine's Napkin Fiction series.Charles Blackstone, "Before," Esquire, March 13, 2008.
Set in Chicago and Greece, Blackstone's semi-autobiographical second novel Vintage Attraction is a depiction of the academia, celebrity and fine wine culture. The novel is inspired by his courtship of Alpana Singh, a master sommelier and TV show host whom he would later marry. The character Peter Hapworth, a lonely 30-something adjunct creative writing professor, is based on Blackstone, and Isabelle "Izzy" Conway, who hosts a wine-tasting program, is based on Singh.Kevin Nance, "Courting Alpana Singh inspires Charles Blackstone's 'Vintage Attraction'," Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2013.Kim Hubbard, "What We're Reading This Weekend: Brand New Fiction," People, October 4, 2013.Michael Lindgren, "New novels by David Leavitt, Charles Blackstone and Steve Yarbrough," The Washington Post, November 21, 2013. The novel took Blackstone four years to write.Naomi Huffman, "Some Enchanted Sommelier: Pugs, Wine and Writing with 'Vintage Attraction' Author Charles Blackstone," Newcity, December 13, 2013.
Writing for the Los Angeles Review of Books, Sabra Embry said that Vintage Attractions fantasy vs. reality love story was poignant. Reviewing for the Chicago Reader Aimee Levitt described the book as awkwardly written, and the protagonist as unsympathetic. Gapers Block reviewer Ines Bellina praised the descriptions of wine, food, and local Chicago landmarks, but called the plot dull. Michael Lindgren of The Washington Post called the book "a slapdash, irritating affair."
In 2010 Blackstone began serving as managing editor of Bookslut, a literary website founded by Jessa Crispin in 2002.Gina Frangello, "New Directions in Publishing: Charles Blackstone," thenervousbreakdown.com, April 13, 2012. He has worked with writers and served as an editor for the site's monthly reviews.
In 2015, Blackstone taught writing at the Gotham Writers' Workshop in New York City.
Personal life Blackstone married sommelier and restaurant critic Alpana Singh in 2006.Nicholas Day, "Alpana's Revenge," Chicago Reader, October 12, 2006. The couple divorced in 2014.Dan Klefstad, "In Vino Veritas? Novel About Wine And Marriage Blends Reality, Fantasy," Northern Public Radio, February 23, 2015. In 2016, Blackstone married Caroline Eick, a senior vice president with Philadelphia-based healthcare marketing firm Calcium.The New York Times, Legacy.com, March 20, 2022.
Honors University of Colorado's Barker Award for Fiction, 2001 Newcity'''s Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago, 2012Greg Baldino, Ella Christoph, Brian Hieggelke, Naomi Huffman and Micah McCrary, "Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago 2012," Newcity, June 7, 2012. Newcitys Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago, 2013Brian Hieggelke and Naomi Huffman, "Lit 50: Who Really Books in Chicago 2013," Newcity, June 6, 2013.
Bibliography
Fiction The Week You Weren't Here (2005, Low Fidelity Press) Vintage Attraction (2013, Pegasus)
Nonfiction The Art of Friction: Where (Non)Fictions Come Together (2008, University of Texas Press) – editor, with Jill Talbot
Collections The & Now Awards: The Best Innovative Writing, "Before" (2009, Lake Forest College Press); originally appeared in Esquire'', March 2008
References
External links Official website Interview at Entropy