Michael Malone
Michael Malone is the author of 12 internationally acclaimed novels, including the classic Handling Sin Dingley Falls and The Last Noel. The Four Corners of the Sky was the latest in a number of national bestsellers.
He is currently at work on Dark Winter, the fourth in a “Hillston” quartet of novels narrated by two incompatible Piedmont homicide detectives, Justin Savile V and Cuddy Mangum, who over their years together become good colleagues and close friends.
While the most recent novel, Dark Winter is a prequel to Uncivil Seasons, Time’s Witness and First Lady, and tells the story of Cuddy and Justin’s first murder case together.
Michael Malone has also written a collection of short stories Red Clay, Blue Cadillac as well as two books of non-fiction, one on American movies, one on Jungian pyschology. His television credits include network shows for ABC, NBC and Fox. His stories, essays and critical writings have appeared in a wide range of publications–the Wilson Quarterly, the Partisan Review, Playboy, Mademoiselle, Harper’s, the New York Times, the Nation, and so on. His short works are often anthologized and his novels have been translated into many languages. He’s also written plays, musicals and scripts.
Among his prizes are the O Henry, the Edgar, the Writers Guild Award and the Emmy for ABC’s “One Life to Live,” where he was head-writer for much of a decade. He has taught at Yale, the University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore and most recently for years has been a Professor in Theater Studies and English at Duke, where he tought film, television and theater.
He gives readings and talks throughout the country. His home is in Hillsborough, N.C.
Ten Things I Can’t Do Without
- Maureen, my wife, and Maggie, our daughter
- The act of creating: Not the product but the praxis. It can be novels, meals, stone walls, puppets, concerts, talks, parties, and, with the most pleasure, plays (comedy, tragedy, musical) performed with a community of fellowplayers–amateur just as much as professional
- Laughing with friends
- The quiet to write
- A vista, especially seascapes
- Beauty around me
- Humor, brightness, kindness and courtesy in my company
- Being a part of music–listening to it, making it
- Learning new things
- Hope for this foolish species of ours
- I could do without, I suppose, but would infinitely prefer not to–good champagne or a Carolina blue sky. Or just about anything Italian: people, landscape, design, art, food, opera
In the last year or so, I’ve read 5 of Michael Malone’s books: HANDLING SIN, the 3 Justin and Cuddy novels, and THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE SKY. I’m enthralled by Mr. Malone’s writing!
I’m a southern woman, a retired high school English teacher from Roanoke, Virginia. I almost wish I was still teaching so I could recommend his books to my students. How I’d love to talk about HANDLING SIN with a class of good AP English students!
Instead, I heartily recommend his books to my friends. HANDLING SIN is now my gift of choice to my reading friends! I just finished reading the last Justin and Cuddy novel. That’s a trio of books that I’ll be giving as Christmas gifts this year.
Thank you, Mr. Malone, for the pure joy in reading that you’ve brought me.
Cheri Burton
I met you through Handling Sin sometime back in the 80s, and was hooked. It was spring or summer, and I’d sit in my backyard and laugh and laugh, by myself. The neighbors must have thought I was loony. Since then I’ve read everything but some of your short stories, ending with The Four Corners, which again, I loved.
Do you know that Wikipedia has you down as being best known for your soap writings? I was like WHAT? No way, you are best known for your books. Specifically, if nothing else, Handling Sin, a book I have given as a gift so many times I’ve lost track. Nothing tickles me more than to discover someone hasn’t read it so I can introduce them.
I hope you are working on something new, because you are the Hemingway of today’s books. Please, keep up the good work. Please!
I’ve enjoyed your Saville/Cuddy novels very much, but my favorite (unsurprising, given my profession) is Foolscap. You caught the worst–and best–of academic life, the romance of research, and the humor of celebrity. Thank you.
I enjoyed “Handling Sin” and would like to offer it as a Fair Trade Book at my Blogspot. Author comments are always welcome; if you’d like to preview the review before it appears next week, please e-mail me.
The man is magic. I was just floated through Casablanca at another of Michael and Maureen’s black tie evenings. This time torch songs by Andrea Moore floated over tiny round cocktail tables filled with bountiful eats, exotic drinks and colorful people. Music and Michael’s narration enthralled and transported us. 100% original Michael MALONE.
While Foolscap is not mentioned first – or sometimes, ever – as one of your signal contributions, I must cheerfully demur. It is the most wickedly entertaining send-ups of theatrical pretension, scholarly hubris, and literary tomfoolery I’ve ever read. It’s also a pretty swell love story. Your narrator’s voice is bemusedly perfect and the plot rolls along, once all of the fires are lit, as if it’s got its own third gear. It’s a great piece of work and I hope that readers can keep it alive long enough for critics to understand how delightfully good it is.
i just finished reading your Justin/Cuddy trilogy and I want to thank you so much for the hours of pleasure I derived from your writing. Your books cover a spectrum — history – humanity – humor – a great plot –love – mystery. Thank you so much. I can’t wait for # 4. dee cox
I love your books and I’m not sleeping because I’m waiting for “Dark Winter”.
Thank you for the reading pleasure.
Jackie
I discovered HANDLING SIN in a used bookshop as a sophomore in college. I was–and still am–completely enthralled by it. I have read all the others, but HANDLING SIN is the book that keeps me anchored in the world. I have read it countless times, bought upwards of 20 copies, and own 2 copies regularly, because I always take great joy in introducing it to friends and folk looking for a good read. It was the book I had placed in our Library upon receiving Tenure from the University. When I am feeling down/depressed, or that we are living in a ‘world of trash,’ It is a story that helps to restore my faith in humanity. Thank you for the hope.
Am eagerly awaiting this fine writer’s latest book. It’s been a long, long time since his last masterpiece – the wonderful Four Corners of the Sky – was released, so I can’t wait to read this Cuddy/Justin prequel. Does anyone know of a possible publication date? Meanwhile, I’ll get back to reading the glorious Handling Sin – for the umpteenth time!
Handling Sin is one of my favorite books of all time. I have two copies of it because I know that I will end up giving one of them to someone – I have gifted many copies of this book over the years. I think I have read all of Mr. Malone’s books but Handling Sin remains my favorite. That said, I also really love Justin and Cuddy and can’t wait to read a new one! I go to Saint Simons every year for a family reunion and the G.J. Ford Bookshop is a must visit every time. I almost cried when I found out that I had missed Mr. Malone’s book signing for Four Corners of the Sky by 2 days. Oh well… Looking forward to the new book!
Please, please continue the Cuddy and Justin series! Perfect reading for quarantine and so perfectly capturing the social challenges we continue to face today. Our family book club just finished the third of the series and we are desperate for an follow up!