Laurie at the West Hollywood Book Festival 10/09

[Strawberry Curls]

Here are some shots from this past Sunday's book festival in West Hollywood. Laurie appeared at two events, the first was a "Conversation with Laurie R. King" with Pamela Samuels Young moderator. This was a very intimate setting with only about 30 or so seats under a tent. I gave myself permission to just enjoy the day and not to spend all my time taking notes, so I can't give much of a report. I will say the final question of this panel was asked by Les Klinger (friend of Laurie and renowned Sherlockian) who in this almost childlike plaintive voice asked, "Why did you have to have Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes marry. Why marriage?" I can't do justice to Laurie's answer, but she pointed out that they were partners, and by extension the greatest and deepest partnership is that of marriage. She also touched on the issue of the time period and a single woman traveling with a man ruining her reputation, but came back to the idea that for these two characters the partnership would have brought them to that deepest and most rewarding of partnership commitments, marriage.

The last three shots were from the panel on spiritualism. The gentleman on the left is William Gladstone, then Laurie, Lisa Teasley - Moderator, and Maggie Anton.

This panel got off on a "the universe wanted me to write this book" kick that left me cold, so I have little to say about this panel other than I quite like the closeup of Laurie. The dais was very high and we were seated quite close so getting pictures that didn't have the microphone across the face became a challenge.

[Pat Floyd]

Thanks, Alice. I wonder if Laurie would like to buy the prints and the negatives ( or what would correspond to that on digital) of number 2?

[Strawberry Curls]

Laurie has a very expressive face and uses it to great effect when speaking. That one and the one I spoke of before, the closeup from the last panel, are my favorite expressions, but I love the broad smile in #6 the best. :D Actually I deleted what I judged were the least flattering of the pictures.

[KarenB]

She does have some great expressions, doesn't she? Very clear what kind of a remark she is making. Thanks for posting the pix, Alice!

[tangential1]

Oh my gosh, photo #2 is an awesome face!! I'm going to borrow that face, I think ;)

[jtb1951]

Thanks for sharing the photos, Alice; you certainly did your job as designated stalker:)! Laurie's expressions are priceless, and quite her! Thanks, again!

John.

[Millie]

Thanks so much, Alice! I love number 2 as well - it's a great look!

[Elizabeth]

Thank you so much for these! Forgive me if my slow brain (I'm out of coffee) isn't making a very obvious connection, but why was Laurie on a panel about Spiritualism?

[Strawberry Curls]

Thank you so much for these! Forgive me if my slow brain (I'm out of coffee) isn't making a very obvious connection, but why was Laurie on a panel about Spiritualism?Well, if you stretch a point, Doyle was really connected to the Spiritualism movement, but I think Laurie was there more because of the Theology connection. It wasn't a very good panel and it had a poor moderator, IMHO.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for answering, SC. I was worried I'd forgotten the book where Russell became a medium and Holmes dressed up in cheesecloth. :)

[Strawberry Curls]

Thanks for answering, SC. I was worried I'd forgotten the book where Russell became a medium and Holmes dressed up in cheesecloth. :)Hey...it could happen. You're welcome, Elizabeth. :)