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Columbus author follows Pulitzer Prize finalist with second novel. Director of the Creative Writing Program at Ohio State talks about "River of Heaven" with WOSU's Marilyn Smith.
Each Friday, Morning Edition focuses on Central Ohio Artists and their work during the 8:50 block. Morning Edition airs from 5AM to 9AM on WOSU 820 AM and WOSU 89-7 FM.
by Marilyn Smith
Lee Martin's latest novel "River of Heaven" follows "The Bright Forever" a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2006.
Martin, who heads the Creative Writing Program at Ohio State, is no stranger to accolades having been nominated for the National Book Award, and winner of both the Mary McCarthy Prize and the Lawrence Foundation award.
We recently sat down with Martin to discuss "River of Heaven" and the forces that shaped his life.
Lee Martin grew up in a smalltown in llinois. His life was shaped he says by solid, Midwestern values. It was also affected by a tragic accident suffered by his father who lost his two hands in a farming accident. As a writer, Martin is fascinated by acts of chance and their consequences.
"River of Heaven" says Martin was inspired by an article in a small town newspaper It featured a man who built an elaborate dog house in the shape of a sailing ship for his Bassett hound.
Sixty-five year old Sam Brady lives alone with his Bassett hound, Stump. Early on, Brady begrudgingly accepts the shipbuilding help of his neighbor Arthur Pope, a former Navy man.
Sam Brady and his brother Cal share the secret surrounding the death of Dewey Finn…some fifty years earlier. Cal left town shortly thereafter. Sam, a heavily closeted, gay man, stayed on and lived a quiet life alone.
Long estranged, the brothers are reunited after Sam sees news coverage of a hostage situation involving Cal and his employer, Herbert Zwilling.
Ironically, it is two female characters, Arthur Pope's granddaughter Maddie and local radio personality Vera Moon, who finally bring Sam out of his shell. With their trust and gentle support he is finally willing to face the truth about himself and his past.
Under Lee Martin's direction, the Creative Writing Department at Ohio State has flourished. Atlantic Monthly magazine calls the program 'one to watch'. Martin has been at Ohio State since 2001 and says he has found a home here in Columbus.
Lee Martin's latest novel "River of Heaven" was published by Shaye Areheart Books.
Marilyn Smith is the host of WOSU's Morning Edition.
