Brooklyn novelist paints musical portrait of Philly
Brooklyn BookBeat: Author To Launch Debut in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn Bridge Park
“Now I live on Prospect Park, which is like winning the lottery every day,” Brooklyn author Marie-Helene Bertino told the Brooklyn Eagle. An award-winning writer, Bertino will celebrate the release her debut novel, “2 a.m. at The Cat’s Pajamas,” with two Brooklyn book launches. On Aug. 4 and 11, Bertino will speak at Fort Greene’s Greenlight Bookstore and at Brooklyn Bridge Park with BookCourt, respectively, to preview her book — a lively story that follows three charming characters over the course of an extraordinary day in Philadelphia.
Madeleine Altimari is a clever and ambitious 9-year-old who hopes to become a jazz singer. Attempting to follow in her late mother’s footsteps, Madeleine faces teasing and taunting at school, but remains determined to make her debut at The Cat’s Pajamas — Philadelphia’s renowned jazz club.
That same day, Madeleine’s fifth-grade teacher, recently-divorced Sarina Greene, anxiously prepares for a dinner party where she’ll be reunited with a love interest from high school.
And at The Cat’s Pajamas, club owner Jack Lorca learns that his beloved venue might shut down at the end of the night due to financial burdens.