Calendar

Brantly Martin

A former Houstonian gives us Cracula and the inner workings of Manny-hanny

A A A Comments By Olivia Flores Alvarez Thursday, Jun 4 2009

More About

The main character in Brantly Martin's debut novel, Pillage, is named Cracula. Can you guess that addiction issues play a part in the plot? There's also sex, the possibility of sex, money, perceived beauty, promises, lies and hallucinations, all set in the microuniverse of Manhattan. Martin swears it's not autobiographical. "There is truth in the emotions, language, motivations, geography and rhythm. But the book is fiction," he says in press materials. Though when pressed, he admits, "perhaps there is more truth there than I think or want to accept." Born in Houston, Martin spent years in New York City"s nightlife scene. (He had the obligatory dramatic arrival: "I showed up with one bag full of clothes, $500, and not one friend. I slept in Central Park the first night.") Now living in Rome, Martin's changed more than his location. "I'm 31. I started Pillagewhen I was 29. This is not a book I could write now, because I'm not miserable. I'm even happy." What would Cracula say? Brantly Martin reads from Pillagetoday at 6 p.m. Domy, 1709 Westheimer. For information, call 713-523-3669 or visit www.domystore.com. Free.
Tue., June 9, 6 p.m., 2009