Highly regarded as a novelist and playwright, Doctorow is known for his serious philosophical probings. The New York author's works have been published in 30 languages. In addition to the National Book Award, his honors include two National Book Critics Awards, the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Edith Wharton Citation for Fiction, the William Dean Howells Medal of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the presidentially-conferred National Humanities Medal.

Doctorow, a prolific writer, was made famous by his 1975 novel "Ragtime," which went on to become a Broadway play (Tony Award), as well as a film in which James Cagney played his last role.

In the "City of God" Doctorow creates a collage of memories, events, visions and provocative thought, all centered on an idea of the modern reality of God. He employs a multivoiced narrative that captures the riffs and rhythms of latter-day New York and encompasses a cast of characters: scientists, war veterans, prelates, Holocaust survivors, cabinet members, theologians, filmmakers and crooners. Critics acclaim "City of God" a monumental work of spiritual reflection, philosophy and history.

Other noted works from one of America's preeminent novelists and chroniclers includes "Billy Bathgate." This and other novels reveal his talent and signature skill in his unusual use of historical figures in fictional works.

The forum will enable audiences to hear first hand from the author that "The New York Times Book Review" calls "unequaled in his ability to breathe life into inert images and fading monuments of the past."

At the evening forum, Doctorow will be interviewed by Christopher Lydon, the host of "The Connection" on WBUR Boston, heard locally on WFPL 89.3 FM (Public Radio Partnership). Lydon has been a distinctive voice in print, television and radio journalism for more than 30 years.

Wednesday, February 28, 2001

The Kentucky Author Forums are sponsored by the University of Louisville and recorded by WFPL Radio and KET-TV.

10 a.m. ­ E. L. Doctorow will speak to U of L students on U of L's Belknap Campus (restricted to special master class).

Noon ­ Following his morning university session, Doctorow will go on-line with NPR/Washington for a global chat session. The public can visit www.npr.org at noon EST to chat with the noted author.

Kentucky Center for the Arts 5 Riverfront Plaza, Downtown Louisville

The evening's activities are as follows:

5 p.m. Hawley-Cooke Booksellers book sale and wine and cheese reception provided by Brown Forman, lobby

6 p.m. Conversation with E. L. Doctorow and Christopher Lydon in the Bomhard Theatre

7 p.m. Q & A followed by book signing on Bittners' stage set

A $16 ticket includes the above three events. A limited number of discounted tickets of $5 each are available for U of L students, faculty and staff at the KCA box office --U of L photo ID is required.

8:15 p.m. . Dinner with the author, hosted by U of L President John Shumaker and Mrs. Shumaker

A $100 package ticket includes the above events plus dinner with E. L. Doctorow. (Proceeds go to the nonprofit Kentucky Author Forum, $60 is tax-deductible.)

Tickets available at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, 502-584-7777 (1-800-775-7777)

A taped version of the event will be made available at The Louisville Free Public Library, St. Matthews/Eline Branch, 3940 Grandview Avenue, at 11 am, Monday, March 5. There is no fee involved, but those interested must sign up in advance due to limited seating.

WFPL 89.3 FM and the Kentucky Education Network (KET) will record the event for future broadcast.

The Kentucky Author Forum series is produced by Mary Moss Greenebaum and sponsored by the University of Louisville in cooperation with Hawley-Cooke Booksellers; Brown-Forman Corp.; Bittners of Louisville; WFPL, Louisville's NPR Station for News; The Courier-Journal; KET, the Kentucky Network; and the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

624 West Main, Second Floor
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Phone 502.589.2884
Fax 502.589.4334
email KYFORUM@aol.com