Captive Audience

by Dave Reidy

Francis Ford Coppola, REM, and Abe Vigoda are just a few of the many characters who populate the world of Captive Audience, Dave Reidy's paean to the highs, lows, and everything in-between of being a performer. From the opening story, the award-winning "The Regular," where two lonely music fans bond over a most unusual kind of karaoke, to the final tale, "Dancing Man" about an organ player who gets his big break in the most unexpected way with the band REM, this bittersweet and humorous collection gives voice to those who are driven to perform, no matter the size of the audience.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2009

About the author

Dave Reidy's novel The Voiceover Artist was listed among Top Fall Indie Fiction titles by Library Journal and named a Midwest Connections Pick by the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. Reidy's first book, a collection of short stories about performers called Captive Audience, was selected as an Indie Next Notable Book by the American Booksellers Association. His fiction has been published by Granta and his non-fiction has appeared in Belt Magazine and South Side Weekly. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Reviews

[CBSD Library]

Check out a free preview of a story from Captive Audience in our Bookslinger app!

[Robert Duffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out full article and Q&A with Reidy at http://www.examiner.com/x-416-Chicago...

The young male narrators(except for Abe Vigoda) in Captive Audience aspire to rise from the fringe of their crafts to some kind of spotlight but often find their success comes in ways other than planned. In “Dancing Man,” a sideman organist hits the road with ska band Sod Off Shotgun, but instead of playing the keys, he energizes the crowds with his lone dance move, the running man.

The attention to detail that illuminates such esoteric arts as screenprinting is laid out so specifically that you can imagine performing them yourself. From karaoke to basketball camp, Reidy nails the art of performance.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a teacher, it is difficult for me to be a "captive audience" to any book during the academic year; yet, Mr. Reidy's book seized my literary attention. His collection of short stories provide beautiful and at times, poetically crisp, anecdotes of those who perform and those who only dream of performing. Within the span of a few sentences, Reidy transports the reader into a voyeur of a cast of protagonists that one can not help but find as empathetic companions, trying to make sense of the human condition. Each story gleams with the grace of an experienced writer who truly appreciates his craft, as well as the creative spark that lies within each one of us.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for anyone who considers him or herself a fan of the arts--it's a book FOR the appreciators. You'll know what I mean when you read it.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories about various types of performers/performances from a first-time author (who I also happen to know). I encourage you to check it out!

[Wgscherban · Rating 4 out of 5]

dave rocks

[Priscilla]

will start to read this weekend..I guess, this one is good..

[Tom Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. The characters are just amazing.