Walter Mosley Introduces Stephen King National Book Award 2003

[Christine62]

First time I heard about writer, Walter Mosley was a review of his latest novel, An Easy Rawlins Mystery, Charcoal Joe, on NPR. I was intrigued about this series of Easy Rawlins. It was different, captivating, a world I didn't know. I haven't read the first in the series, Devil In A Blue Dress, but I did read the second, A Red Death and loved it. I need to go back to him.

Of late, I have been trying to expand my horizons, but it's hard when your in Stephen King mode, nothing else satisfies. I found a audiobook from my library called Building Bridges, it is only 20 minutes of Mr. King's acceptance of his 2003 National Book Award of Distinguished American Letters.

And low and behold who introduced Mr. King on this grand occasion? Walter Mosley. Unfortunately, the youtube I found only showed Mr. King's acceptance speech not Mr. Mosley's introduction. I did find the text though. Please take the time to read this. It is spot on and inspiring.

Introduction of Stephen King, Recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for the DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN LETTERS, 2003, National Book Foundation, Presenter of National Book Awards

Here is Mr. King's wonderful acceptance of his award and his heart felt tribute to his wife.

 

[Spideyman]

First time I heard about writer, Walter Mosley was a review of his latest novel, An Easy Rawlins Mystery, Charcoal Joe, on NPR. I was intrigued about this series of Easy Rawlins. It was different, captivating, a world I didn't know. I haven't read the first in the series, Devil In A Blue Dress, but I did read the second, A Red Death and loved it. I need to go back to him.

Of late, I have been trying to expand my horizons, but it's hard when your in Stephen King mode, nothing else satisfies. I found a audiobook from my library called Building Bridges, it is only 20 minutes of Mr. King's acceptance of his 2003 National Book Award of Distinguished American Letters.

And low and behold who introduced Mr. King on this grand occasion? Walter Mosley. Unfortunately, the youtube I found only showed Mr. King's acceptance speech not Mr. Mosley's introduction. I did find the text though. Please take the time to read this. It is spot on and inspiring.

Introduction of Stephen King, Recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for the DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICAN LETTERS, 2003, National Book Foundation, Presenter of National Book Awards

Here is Mr. King's wonderful acceptance of his award and his heart felt tribute to his wife.

First, thank you for sharing the link and the video.

Stephen King's speech--priceless. His tribute to Tabby brought tears.
To all who desire to skip over the video, take the time. These are priceless thoughts and words.

 

[Paddy C]

''Giving this award to him is also recognizing and celebrating the millions of readers who are transported, elated and given hope by his pedestrian heroes in a world where anything can and does happen''

I loved that quote...

Mr. King truly does transport us, fill us with elation and give us hope.

 

[danie]

Listening to Mr. King’s speech was the highlight of my day. Thank you for sharing that. Every constant reader should hear it. As Spidey said, take the time.

 

[Paddy C]

Here is Mr. King's wonderful acceptance of his award and his heart felt tribute to his wife.

Thanks for sharing, Christine62. Brilliant speech and just goes to show that anything is possible with a good woman or a good man as support.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Mr. King's phenomenal popularity is due to his almost instinctual understanding of the fears that form the psyche of America's working class. He knows fear. And not the fear of demonic forces alone but also of loneliness and poverty, of hunger and the unknown we have to breach in order to survive. We go with him to the Wal-Mart and to the mechanic who always charges $600 no matter why you went there. He shares with us the awesome reverence for life, that magical formula that not even the most arrogant scientist or cleric or critic would dare to define.

....Amen.....

 

[Christine62]

Mr. King's novels are inhabited by people with everyday jobs and average bodies, people who have to try to find extraordinary strength when they've never been anything but ordinary. Stephen King once said that daily life is the frame that makes the picture. His commitment, as I see it, is to celebrate and empower the everyday man and woman as they buy aspirin and cope with cancer. He takes our daily lives and makes them into something heroic. He takes our world, validates our distrust of it and then helps us to see that there's a chance to transcend the muck. He tells us that even if we fail in our struggles, we are still worthy enough to pass on our energies in the survival of humanity.

 

[not_nadine]

Oh my. So glad to have seen this. Thank you.