I forgot this thread was in place. I had the opportunity to see him speak here recently. I tell you, he was very funny, smart and just an interesting speaker. I could have listened to him for hours.
And I just came across his name...today I think. He'd seen The Wizard of Oz as...an eleven-year-old I think his age was...and that was enough to make him want to be a writer. I've only read his Midnight's Children...years ago. I liked the comedic tone of the telling, the way he uses words, language...but don't remember much more than that. Judy Garland was only 4' 11". One of the Gumm sisters.