In his latest book, Dizzying Heights: The Aspen Novel, author Bruce Ducker pokes fun at the often clueless elite who have turned the Rocky Mountains into a playground of the rich. Ducker’s lead character, Waddy, is an innocent young programmer who suddenly finds himself in the middle of the wheeling and dealing that goes on in the most high profile restaurant in the town, Pantagruel.
Ducker has almost a dozen over the top characters and he spares no one as he delves into the lives of the well-heeled, revealing the drudgery of seedy drug trades, shady land deals and the all too familiar presence of social climbers and hangers-on.
With all the complexity of Ducker’s plot, Dizzying Heights is remarkably easy to read and it is clear that the author’s strength lies in his flair for vivid descriptions. Every character, from the young and impressionable Waddy to psychologist and con artist Mortimer Dooberry to oil baroness Etta Eubanks, comes to life.
Author Fest of the Rockies
Bruce is a keynote speaker at AuthorFest of the Rockies. The fifth annual Author Fest of the Rockies has been set for October 1-2, 2010 at The Cliff House in Manitou Springs. In this author interview with Talking Books TV, Bruce Ducker talks about the creative process of writing a novel in 20 minutes, which is his topic this year at Author Fest.
In an interview, Bruce Ducker described his work as “a satire, a comedy of errors, a farce” and goes on to say, “The plot is totally fabulist. Nobody as extreme as these people. The bad guy shoots dogs. The good guy is right out of ‘Candide.’ ” Nevertheless, Ducker manages to imbue his characters with enough charm and humanity to make the complicated relationships and ensuing conflicts riveting.
As a satirical comedy, Dizzying Heights succeeds in staying light hearted while retaining the reader’s interest with its many plot twists and turns. It also manages to break down the workings of business and law for the reader and Ducker puts his knowledge of Colorado to good use as he paints a picture of what Aspen has become to its seasonal and permanent residents. In the end, the novel doesn’t quite have a happy ending, but it does eventually conclude that good guys don’t always finish last.
Watch the video below:
Dizzying Heights: The Aspen Novel
Dizzying Heights is a satirical comedy that revolves around the pomp and allure of Aspen. It follows the journey of “a callow, young seeker of truth” named Waddy, who is trying to find his way around the mad world of the wealthy. With the development of the last unspoiled valley in Aspen at stake and a hefty money making scheme thrown into the mix, author Bruce Ducker gives us insight into ethics, vanity and and the contradictions of Colorado.
About Bruce Ducker
Bruce Ducker was raised in New York City and has spent most of his working life practicing corporate law and is the founding partner of a Denver law firm. He has been writing novels since 1975, and his eighth and ninth books (Home Pool and Dizzying Heights , respectively) were published in 2008 and both received strong critical response. He won the Colorado Book Award for Lead Us Not into Penn Station, and was nominated for The Pulitzer Prize for Marital Assets. His poems and stories have appeared in The Yale Review, The Hudson Review and Poetry. For many years, Ducker owned a house in Aspen and moved down valley only when he couldn’t find a place to park.
His other books are Rule by proxy, Failure at the Mission Trust, Bankroll, Marital Assets, Bloodlines, Mooney in Flight ,Lead Us Not into Penn Station and Home Pool: Stories of Fly Fishing and Lesser Passions. Visit Bruce Ducker’s website www.bruceducker.com
13 Comments
9:51 am
Debbie from Happy Maker
Hi Michelle,
Great interview. When it comes to Bruce Ducher’s book “Dizzying Heights” it sounds like I need to go get it. Living so close to Aspen I could really enjoy this. Everyone needs a little comedy and laughter in there life. Sounds like one of those books you could sit down and read to just get away from the world for a while. Thanks so much Michelle and love your interviews.
Debbie
12:41 pm
Michelle from Author Interviews
Debbie, it’s quite the wild ride. Click above on the book and get yourself a copy!
10:48 am
Corinne Edwards
Dear Bruce -
Loved this talk with you.
I was particularly interested in your emphasis on “thinking.” It is underrated. And I don’t think it has to be intentional thinking.
I write many of my blog posts while I am “thinking” and reading the Chicago Tribune at the same time. They kind of sneak up on me as I have some coffee.
The majority of the copy ends up on the edges of the newspaper. Pretty messy but it works for me.
But you never mentioned a storyboard which seems to be the norm in any article I have read on writing a novel.
Would like you to comment on that?
11:52 am
Bruce Ducker
Corrine-
Good of you to write. I don’t use storyboards, or other devices. I do tend to have the shape of the book in mind before I sit down, but I think you need to leave yourself some room to surprise yourself and the reader. I suppose the more the book is a “plotted” story (that is, written for mass market) the more the plot is important and the more one needs to know. I don’t write for that market, but rather for myself, a great luxury.
Best,
Bruce
3:13 pm
Beat Schindler
An interview with a writer, on writing – very interesting and insightful. Bruce, successful and published author, confirms courage is not the absence of fear, but overcoming the fears we all have … typically when it comes to writing. Great interview, inspirational and all.
- Beat
Beat Schindler recently posted..The Recession Can Be A Good Kick In The Butt
12:31 pm
MichelleVan
Beat.. Fear of whats next often gets in our own way!
1:08 pm
Joel
Very interesting Michelle, sounds like the book is definitely worth a read.
Joel recently posted..The Beauty Of Lurking
12:59 am
Andrew
Michelle,
Thanks for the interview and share.
I love reading books like these and it’s one I will be getting.
Andrew
Andrew recently posted..Blog Content- Make It Easy For People To Find
8:50 am
lisa
Hi Michelle:
I have been looking for a good book to read on my vacation next week. Looks like I found one. Thanks for the great interview and info!
Lisa
8:55 pm
Blog Income for Women
Michelle,
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your interview. It’s so great to put authors to the forefront like this.
Thanks.
Krizia
9:43 am
Amy LeForge
I’ve been getting back to reading lately now that the boys are more independent. This book sounds like a lot of fun!
Amy LeForge recently posted..Limiting Choice Can Improve Sanity
6:37 pm
MichelleVan
Amy, Your sons would LOVE the book I just reviewed, Dinonauts. click on the link …
10:03 am
Benjamin
As a self proclaimed ‘nice guy’ (my wife might have a different story)… I’ll have to give this one a look.
Right here, in Colorado…
keep smiling,
Benjamin