Dreams I’m Never Gonna See
Brian Lee Knopp’s Dreams I’m Never Gonna See: The Takeover of WDIZ Rock 100/FM and Other Essays is a literary gourmet smoothie blending humor, wit, and an uncanny knack for storytelling. Knopp, whose memoir Mayhem in Mayberry: Misadventures of a P.I. in Southern Appalachia (2009) is still a significant local bestseller at Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville and has done well on Amazon, takes readers on another tasty treat of unforgettable yarns, this time with a collection of short essays on Knopp’s life and the many extraordinary events he has encountered.
The titular essay recounts Knopp’s involvement in the real-life 1981 hijacking of Orlando’s WDIZ Rock 100 radio station by the Ida Lupino Liberation Organization, a ragtag group of dreamers and idealists—a tale so surreal and daring it harkens early Tom Wolfe with his books like The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, published in 1965 and 1968 respectively, with Knopp’s sharp humor and eye for detail breathing life into the chaos, capturing the rebellious spirit and absurdity of the moment with a narrative flair that is both engaging and unforgettable.
This story’s event, which predates the premise of the cult classic film Airheads (1994), starring Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler, captures the spirit of rebellion and the absurdity of youth.
From trying to buy a potato patch of land to encountering a flapper ghost from the 1920s to the surreal experience of shearing a sheep in the presence of a live wolf, though unrelated, each essay works together as a cohesive whole, inviting us into Knopp’s world and his unique way of seeing it. Like a well-produced album, the pieces collectively form an underlying theme that resonates throughout the collection, focusing on the intersection of rebellion, self-discovery, and the absurdity of life.
His humor becomes a vehicle for introspection, making readers laugh while subtly challenging them to ponder their dreams and choices. His reflections on navigating underground Disney World in 1979 evoke a sense of wonder, inviting readers to question what lies beneath the surface of the everyday world. Although Knopp’s essays can sometimes cross over into nostalgia with a touch of the bizarre, this is by no means a dismissable or superficial work but rather a literary achievement.
The Cover of Dreams I’m Never Gonna See
The book’s title, a clever nod to The Allman Brothers Band’s “Dreams I’ll Never See” and Molly Hatchet’s cover, reflects the bittersweet undertone of the collection. While the essays are undeniably entertaining, there’s a deeper exploration of dreams deferred, paths not taken, and the beauty of life’s unexpected twists. Knopp’s humor becomes a vehicle for introspection, making readers laugh while subtly challenging them to ponder their dreams and choices.
A keen observer of human nature, Knopp illuminates every page, making Dreams I’m Never Gonna See an empowering addition to the genre of personal essays.
Book signings for Dreams I’m Never Gonna See
Join author Brian Lee Knopp for the launch of his latest book, Dreams I’m Never Gonna See: The Takeover of WDIZ Rock 100/FM and Other Essays, at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café in Asheville. The event is scheduled for January 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
Malaprop’s This collection features Knopp’s signature blend of humor and storytelling, including the titular essay about the 1981 hijacking of Orlando’s WDIZ Rock 100 radio station. Attendees can enjoy a reading, engage in a Q&A session, and have their copies signed. Admission is free. Malaprop’s is located at 55 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC. For more information, visit malaprops.com or call (828) 254-6734.
Additionally, Knopp will be at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC, on January 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM for a similar event.
City Lights NC City Lights Bookstore is located at 3 E Jackson St., Sylva, NC. For details, visit citylightsnc.com or call (828) 586-9499.
Both events offer a unique opportunity to delve into Knopp’s engaging narratives and gain insight into his creative process.
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