Gloria Frym Unveils the Truth in "Lies & More Lies" at City Lights Bookstore

On February 3, 2025, City Lights and BlazeVOX Books joined forces to present a captivating video reading event featuring Gloria Frym in conversation with Peter Maravelis. The occasion celebrated the publication of Frym’s latest book, Lies & More Lies, a work that masterfully intertwines comedy and tragedy to confront the deceit woven through our daily lives and political landscapes.

Watch the Video Here
https://youtu.be/SvqOzBhUxzo

Buy Gloria Frym’s Lies & More Lies here

A Dynamic Conversation on Truth and Art

In this engaging session, Frym’s commanding presence and incisive wit shine through as she reads selections from Lies & More Lies. The discussion, led by Peter Maravelis of City Lights, delves into the multifaceted nature of truth in an era marked by misinformation and the deliberate twisting of words by those in power. The conversation is not just a reading—it’s an invitation to witness how language, in its most honest form, can both expose and transform the pervasive "bag of doubt" that defines our contemporary reality.

Exploring the Layers of Lies & More Lies

At its heart, Lies & More Lies is a collection of prose poems, satires, and short fictions that navigates the complex terrain of personal and civic deception. Frym’s work challenges the reader to observe the dual nature of lies: the public falsehoods peddled by political and corporate entities, and the quieter, intimate fabrications of everyday life. With a style that echoes the playful abandon of Gertrude Stein and the relentless poetic spirit of Baudelaire—“toujours poète, même en prose”—Frym defies conventional structure, allowing digressions and associations to breathe life into each paragraph.

An undercurrent of ecological and social mourning runs through the text, suggesting that the lies serving political and corporate interests are not merely abstract wrongs; they are active contributors to global decay. This blend of humor, pathos, and urgency marks Lies & More Lies as a necessary work for our time—a literary mirror reflecting both our absurdities and our aspirations for justice.

Critical Acclaim and Resonant Themes

The book has already garnered glowing praise from literary figures. Jonathan Lethem marvels at Frym’s ability to dissect the regime of falsehoods without resorting to grandiosity, noting that she “holds the receipts” of our collective deceptions with an awestruck beauty. Maxine Chernoff praises the work as a “jewel” of prose poems and short fictions that not only entertains but offers profoundly accurate advice on navigating life’s myriad challenges—from eccentric neighbors to the universal upheavals that mark our times. Maureen Owen encapsulates the spirit of the book by describing it as a series of modern fables that boldly question the quality of truth in our “Age of Lies.”

Gloria Frym: A Literary Trailblazer

Beyond Lies & More Lies, Gloria Frym’s career is a tapestry of innovative writing. As a poet, prose writer, and Professor Emerita of Writing & Literature at California College of the Arts, her works—ranging from the introspective *How Proust Ruined My Life & Other Essays* to the critically acclaimed short story collections *Distance No Object* and *How I Learned*—have consistently pushed the boundaries of language and form. Frym’s legacy is further cemented by accolades such as the American Book Award for her poetry collection *Homeless at Home*.

Reflecting on the Moment

The video reading not only celebrated a new publication but also underscored the timeless relevance of honest, daring art. In a world where the distortion of facts can lead to societal and ecological peril, Frym’s work stands as a beacon of clarity and resilience. The interplay of humor and sorrow in her prose challenges us to re-examine the narratives we accept and to find strength in the beauty of truth—even when that truth is wrapped in layers of irony and wit.

For those eager to explore this literary journey, Lies & More Lies is available for purchase through City Lights. As the reading reminds us, words imbued with honesty are among the highest forms of art, offering both a reflection on our current state and a hopeful call for transformation.

*Made possible by the support of the City Lights Foundation.*