Maybe Leave the Dreamcatcher Earrings at Home

Sherman Alexie is very funny and slightly menacing. This is how we like our men! Go to one of the prolific author's readings, and not only do you hear stories from his books — to generalize, they're cynical-genius love criticism of Indians and everyone else — but also, you might get heckled. Alexie is a fearless public figure, often eager to make you laugh, but also delighted to say mean things about the whole audience, or even just one individual. It is always funny. For his appearance at City Arts and Lectures, he might stick mostly to reading, whether from his most recent publication, an introduction to the WritersCorps anthology Tell the World, or from his most recent novel, the uncharacteristically sorta-sweet young-adult book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. But knowing Alexie, he’ll also probably poke around until he hits a nerve, and then razz everyone for giving what he calls the "Berkeley Boo." Prepare to sputter.
Mon., Dec. 1, 8 p.m., 2008