After Francesco - grief, hope and gallows humor with Brian Malloy

<p>Our featured story comes from author Brian Malloy's new novel After Francesco. &nbsp;You will hear his talented and award winning narrator Michael Crouch read an excerpt from the audiobook - a scene where the main character Kevin measures his grief not by remembering what was, but by thinking about what will never be. &nbsp;You will also hear Brian explain - in his even and calming voice - how this emotional ride of a story is anchored in his personal experiences in many different ways. &nbsp;I love what his character Aunt Nora says about family. And, Brian's answer to the 'essential things' question caught me by surprise with its altruism. &nbsp;We begin by talking about when he was writing the 'author's note' during lock down - during the pandemic - a very different pandemic than the one he chronicles in the book - which honors those who fought a life and death battle against disease, hatred, indifference, and ignorance during the 1980's. &nbsp;You can find After Francesco and all of Brian's work through his website <a href="https://www.malloywriter.com/after_francesco_.htm">https://www.malloywriter.com/after_francesco_.htm</a>. &nbsp;And, I'll put a picture of Brian with his Minnesota AIDS Project buds at the March on Washington in 1987 on the Desideratum Podcast website. <a href="https://desideratumpodcast.com/">https://desideratumpodcast.com/</a> When you want to hear more from narrator Michael Crouch, here is his website: <a href="http://www.michaellockwoodcrouch.com/">http://www.michaellockwoodcrouch.com/</a> &nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for listening.</p> <p><br></p>