Punk Rocker Author Comes to Central Oregon
Posted By: Liz Goodrich
Date Posted: 10/8/2006
Deschutes Public Library is pleased to welcome author Frank Portman for presentations at Paulina Springs Books (252 W. Hood Street, Sisters), Bend Public Library and The Grove (1033 NW Bond Street) on Saturday, October 21. The programs are free and open to the public. The Grove performance is a 21 and over show.
Told by narrator Tom Henderson, Portman’s first novel, King Dork, boldly pans the classic coming of age novel, Catcher In The Rye, in irreverent and outrageous ways. Portman’s novel is as often laugh out loud hysterical as it is squirm in your seat uncomfortable. Either way, Portman’s spot on description of the treacherous waters of high school is part social satire, part mystery and a part coming of age story. From Tom’s best friend, to the bullies to the power crazy vice principal, Portman’s characters are over the top but recall characters from our own high school experiences. Although King Dork is classified as a Young Adult novel, it’s one adults will enjoy as well.
Part of the appeal of King Dork is Portman himself. He’s not your average writer but has earned a fan base as a member of the punk rock band, The Mr. T Experience. Portman was born in 1964, and grew up in Millbrae, a small city on the far southern outskirts of San Francisco. In 1986, while attending University of California Berkeley, Frank formed the band with three friends. Portman was the singer/songwriter/guitarist for this experimental, silly, brainy band. The Mr. T Experience, or MTX, self-released its first album in 1986, and went on to release 11 albums on Lookout! Records, where they were labelmates with Green Day, Screeching Weasel, the Queers, Crimpshrine, and many other important underground bands.
King Dork was published April 11, 2006. Random House bought the novel for its childrens/young adult imprint, Delacorte, and the novel has been a smashing success. Within a month of release, it was already in its fifth printing, and was widely reviewed to high critical praise. Portman lives in Oakland, California. He is at work on his second novel.
For information about this or other library programs, please call 312-1032.
Page Last Modified Wednesday, March 8, 2023