There’s a great scene in the Steve Martin classic movie The Jerk where he exclaims “The new phone book’s here! The new phone book’s here!” — because, you see, the new edition of the phone book has his name in it, and therefore proves he’s made it. He’s somebody.
Well, I think every author has that “The new phone book’s here!” moment when their debut novel arrives, at long last, in their hands. Heck, agents get it too. Today, for instance, I am sitting here with a shiny, brand spankin’ new copy of Powerless by Matthew Cody, and I couldn’t be happier.
I can’t wait until the book is officially released on October 27th, and I get to share this feeling with the world.
And speaking of sharing things with the world, Powerless got a Kirkus review!
Resembling a Golden Age comic without the pictures, this tale pits a group of small-town children with superpowers—call them “preteen titans”—against a shadowy menace that robs them of those powers on their 13th birthdays. Coming to town with his family to care for his dying grandma, Daniel quickly spots his neighbor Mollie and her friends performing incredible feats. Soon he’s in their confidence, as they demonstrate combinations of super-speed, super-strength, enhanced senses and the ability to turn invisible. All of them can also hear the clock ticking, however. Gifted not with superpowers but a sharp mind and a fondness for Sherlock Holmes stories, Daniel sets out to discover how and why his new friends, like generations of their predecessors, are being robbed of their abilities. Where those abilities come from never enters in, but the obligatory wily supervillain does, leading to a titanic climactic battle. Cody wears his influences on his sleeve, but has some fun with them (one lad’s “power” is a super-stench) and crafts a tribute that, unlike M.T. Anderson’s Whales On Stilts (2005), is more admiring than silly.
I’d debate that “where those abilities come from never enters in,” but by and large, I’m thrilled. I especially love the comparison to M.T. Anderson, a National Book Award-winning author.
So that’s my “The Jerk” moment. What’s your favorite Steve Martin movie?
10 thoughts on “Shiny!”
As a mom of a four year old and a one year old, you can't beat Parenthood. I loved it twenty years ago, and now realize life's actually like that with kids. Who would have thought?
The Three Amigos. I adored that movie from the time I was about seven, and it still cracks me up. "All of us have an El Guapo to face some day."
I'm a huge Planes, Trains and Automobiles fan. I try to watch it every holiday season and it never gets old.
What a great shiny moment for you and Matthew! Enjoy!
One of my all-time favorite movie quotes comes from "The Jerk"
Navin R. Johnson: Well I'm gonna to go then. And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you. I don't need anything except this.
[picks up an ashtray]
Navin R. Johnson: And that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one – I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.
[walking outside]
Navin R. Johnson: And I don't need one other thing, except my dog.
[dog barks]
Navin R. Johnson: I don't need my dog.
I love "Shopgirl," of which he wrote the books and stars in the movie. Plus, Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, how could you go wrong?
Powerless sounds like a really fun read! ….And I'm a Bowfinger fan. I also loved Steve Martin's appearance on 30 Rock last season. "I miscounted the men, Liz! I miscounted the men!"
The Jerk is the best! Now I have the thermos song stuck in my head.
"I'm picking out a thermos for you"
Congratulations to you and Matthew Cody. The book looks like one I will have to buy for the niece. One I will have to read myself first before giving it to her naturally.
I loved "The Three Amigos" but "Roxanne" has to be my all time favorite Steve Martin movie.