Asking For It

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• Frank Portman
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Who would write a book that practically begs geeks to challenge its accuracy? Who wants to go up against fanatics? Frank Portman, is that you, waving your hand and pleading "Me, me! Pick me?" Well, OK. Portman, aka Dr. Frank of punk superstars the Mr. T Experience, reads from his new chunk of young adult fiction, Andromeda Klein. (His previous YA novel, King Dork, is in film production.) Following the life of a teenage girl, the story weaves in references to "majick" and anything that could possibly be associated with the occult, tarot cards, or Ouija boards. Summoning the intensity of adolescence, Portman limns his protagonist with persnickety detail and the kind of dry, absurdist in-jokes smart children think are their exclusive domain. Andromeda’s obsession with ancient Egypt and Aleister Crowley wanna-bes is the dorkbait here; do you think your kung-fu is better than his? Appear and show Frank Portman what you've got.
Tue., Sept. 8, 7 p.m., 2009