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CORVALLIS, Ore. - Noted journalist and editor Brian Kellow will read from his newly released biography, "Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark," on Wednesday, May 30, in Oregon State University's Memorial Union Journey Room.

The reading, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.

"Pauline Kael: A Life in the Dark" (Viking, 2011) is the first biography of The New Yorker's most influential, powerful, and controversial film critic. Selected as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, Kellow's biography creates a moving portrait of Kael as a bold, brash, and remarkably driven critic. 

Ben Brantly, chief theater critic at The New York Times, notes the significance of Kellow's biography of this influential woman: "[Pauline Kael] got into my bloodstream more than any other critic. So I have been waiting most of my life for a smart, insightful biography like this to take me beyond and beneath the hypnotic thrill of her prose."

Kellow is the features editor for Opera News and author of four books, including "Ethel Merman: A Life," "The Bennetts: An Acting Family" and "Can't Help Singing: The Life of Eileen Farrell." He writes the popular Opera News column "On the Beat," and his articles have appeared in Travel and Leisure, BBC Music Magazine and Newsday.

An alumnus of OSU's English Department, Kellow now lives in New York.

Kellow's appearance in Corvallis is part of the proposed School of Writing, Literature, and Film's 2011-12 Visiting Writers Series, and is made possible by contributions from The Valley Library, the Office of the Provost, the College of Liberal Arts, Kathy Brisker and Tim Steele, and the OSU Beaver Store.