IN SEARCH OF A LOST NOVELIST: THE STONE READER
Mark Moskowitz, USA, 2002
Monday 18 August 8.30pm-10.05pm; rpt 11.35pm-1.10am
Passionate reader Mark Moskowitz sets out to find the author of a novel hailed as a masterpiece 25 years ago. On the way he encounters Joseph Heller’s publisher and considers why some great books are forgotten.
MARK MOSKOWITZ Director Interview
"I thought he may have died or gone into advertising"
THE STONE READER Mark's own site with reviews and discussion board
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Commissioner's
Comment Nick Fraser
Storyville Series Editor
I met Mark Moskowitz before he finished this film and he arrived at our meeting in New York carrying a box-load of books. Reading and the disappearance of literature from our world is the theme of his film. If that sounds heavy, be reassured. Mark has gone in search of a writer whose book he bought in 1972. The book, The Stones of Summer, disappeared without trace, and it takes Mark all of a year and a half to track the author Dow Mossman down.
I won't spoil the end of the story for you, but I will say that the film will probably drive you back to reading the work of Joseph Heller; for my money, with Mark Twain, the funniest and most contemporary of American geniuses.