Midwestern Fantasy

"Dewey Defeats Truman" is the intriguing title of Thomas Mallon's latest novel. The author will read from his book at Book Hampton in East Hampton on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Mr. Mallon has appropriated the story of President Harry S. Truman's upset victory over Thomas E. Dew ey, the Governor of New York State, in the 1948 Presidential election (and the famous headline run by an overconfident newspaper that went to press before the final results were in) to build a Midwestern fantasy.

Set in Dewey's Michigan hometown of Owosso, "Dewey Defeats Truman" is the story of a local love triangle that mirrors the national election contest. Three generations of Owosso residents are followed, each with his or her own secrets and dreams.

Mr. Mallon is the author of eight previous books, including two, "Henry and Clara," a novel, and "A Book of One's Own," a study of diaries, that were New York Times Book Review "notable books of the year."

The next author to read at Book Hampton will be Daniel Silva, author of the best-selling "The Unlikely Spy," on March 29.