Background
Blackstone was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
( A young English teacher falls―glass first―into a love a...)
A young English teacher falls―glass first―into a love affair and the world of wine when he meets a famous and enchanting sommelier Lonely and frustrated, Peter Hapworth’s life takes a sudden turn one night when he turns on the television. He’s transfixed by the woman staring back at him, a glass of wine swirling delicately in her hand―Isabelle Conway, one of the preeminent sommeliers in the world. On a whim, he pitches himself as a guest on her popular T. V. show, and the two embark on a whirlwind courtship. But relationships require a delicate balance of nurturing and belief, much like winemaking. Hapworth and Izzy must navigate the complex mysteries of wine―and the heart. Vintage Attraction is a rich and insightful novel by an exciting young literary talent.
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Blackstone was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
His most recent novel is the semi-autobiographical Vintage Attraction (2013). Early work Blackstone"s first novel was the avant-garde The Week You Weren"t Here (2005), set in Chicago in the spring of 2001. Using experimental prose, the story follows Hunter Flanagan on his search for true love.
Next, he collaborated with Jill Talbot as co-editors of the experimental anthology The Art of Friction: Where (Non)s Come Together (2008), a collection exploring the creative differences between fiction and nonfiction.
His stories have been published in literary journals including Bridge, Evergreen Review and The Journal of Experimental. His short story "Before" was published in Esquire in March 2008 as part of the magazine"s Napkin series.
Vintage Attraction Secretariat in Chicago and Greece, Blackstone"s semi-autobiographical second novel Vintage Attraction is a depiction of the academia, celebrity and fine wine culture. The novel is inspired by his courtship of Alpana Singh, a master sommelier and television show host who he would later marry.
The character Peter Hapworth, a lonely 30-something adjunct creative writing professor, is based on Blackstone, and Isabelle "Izzy" Conway, who hosts a wine-tasting program, is based on Singh.
The novel took Blackstone four years to write. Writing for the Los Angeles Review of Books, Sabra Embry said that Vintage Attraction"s fantasy versus reality love story was poignant. Reviewing for the Chicago Reader Aimee Levitt described the book as awkwardly written, and the protagonist as unsympathetic.
Gapers Block reviewer Ines Bellina praised the descriptions of wine, food, and local Chicago landmarks, but called the plot dull.
Michael Lindgren of the Washington Post called the book "a slapdash, irritating affair." Other projects In 2010 Blackstone began serving as managing editor of Bookslut, a literary website founded by Jessa Crispin in 2002. He has worked with writers and served as an editor for the site"s monthly reviews.
Blackstone teaches writing at the Gotham Writers" Workshop in New York City, where he lives.
( A young English teacher falls―glass first―into a love a...)