Wally Lamb appears at "Paint the Town" fundraiser

You realize, of course, that way over there in that Sweden place, several folks with high IQs have actually tossed the name "Wally Lamb" around while discussing their Nobel Prize for Literature.

That's pretty cool, if you ask me, and that's what writing "She's Come Undone," "The Hour I First Believed" and "I Know This Much is True" will do for you.

Lamb is also renowned for his good works, as with prison literacy programs. He's also appearing Friday at a "Paint the Town" champagne reception at Dev's on Bank in New London. All proceeds benefit "Paint the Town," a project to beautify the downtown region before summer and OpSail.

Other local and Connecticut authors onboard include Patti Brooks, Matt "Constant Waterman" Goldman, Tido Holtkamp, and Ron Janson. Tapas will be served, and the informal and conversational event features area civic leaders, as well.

- RICK KOSTER

"Paint the Town" featuring Wally Lamb, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dev's On Bank, 345 Bank St., New London; $30; (860) 442-3387, devsonbank.com.