Remembering Scott Wannberg of Dutton's
Scott Wannberg, poet, bookseller, encyclopedic resource and mentor of poets, passed into memory too soon at age 58. Scott was a big man, with Renaissance knowledge of literature, an offbeat sense of humor and an enormous heart. Ironic that it was his heart to gave out. Well, more likely, it wore out.
When Dutton's Bookshop in Brentwood closed, many of us mourned. Dutton's was far more than just a store. It was an institution, a meeting place, a venue where virtually every author (including me) introduced our new books at signings and readings.
Being part of the Dutton kurass (See: Vonnegut), whether as author or customer, you got to know Scott. He was always ready with suggestions and seemed to have read everything. He spoke knowledgably and passionately about books, authors and even a political opinion slipped out once in a while.
He was fun, funny and that rare kind of person whom you looked forward to seeing. Many times I'd come to Dutton's Brentwood, as I had to their Studio City shop, without knowing what I wanted. I always knew that Scott would know exactly what I wanted.
When Dutton's was forced to close, I just assumed that Scott would surface some place near by. But he didn't. He moved north to Oregon. When Dutton's closed I mourned the sad fact of another real bookstore gone. I knew that Brentwood had lost an institution of unique character. Many of us fought the good fight to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Scott was a character in the neighborhood--a genuine character, a man of real and rare character. Lovers of literature, lovers of poetry and lovers of books will miss his wit, his wisdom and his enthusiasm.
©2011 Jonathan Dobrer
www.Dobrer.com
Leave a comment