Money, women, power, and rebelling against the golden years. These are some of the perilous and alluring patterns that weave their way through Crazy for You. In this double feature of love and obsession, two short stories by the acclaimed writer Paul Theroux are adapted by veteran cartoonist Steve Lafler. “Minor Watt” is a high society satire lampooning the perverse relationship between art and the art market — and what happens when the joy of owning is outstripped by the thrill of destroying. “Siamese Nights” is a tale of infidelity, infatuation, and exoticism, blending into an intoxicating, midlife crisis siren song. Little choices and self-betrayals build until a quiet leitmotif rolls into a shattering crescendo.
Lafler’s bold and expressive style effortlessly captures the pulp exuberance adorning Theroux’s stories and the profound vulnerability underlying his characters. Crazy for You will stop you in your tracks right before it bowls you over.
Paul Theroux is an American novelist, short story writer, and travel writer. His novels include Picture Palace and The Mosquito Coast, which was the joint winner of the 1981 James Tait Black Memorial Prize. His acclaimed travel books include The Great Railway Bazaar, Dark Star Safari, and The Old Patagonian Express. His short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s, and The Atlantic. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.
Steve Lafler launched his opening cartooning salvo with Mean Cat several decades ago, a comic book brimming with energetic surrealism fronted with a garish purple and pink screenprint cover. Ever the maverick marching to his own beat, this comics auteur enjoyed long runs of his improvised Dog Boy comic book, as well as the jaunty, unhinged Buzzard anthology. Lafler has several graphic novels to his credit, notably BugHouse From the Top, a history of bebop jazz realized with an all-insect cast.
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