Renee Rosenow

Though comedian Chris Farley died over 10 years ago, his name is now on the New York Times bestseller list. Tom Farley, Chris’s brother, has published a new biography about his brother, “The Chris Farley Show.”

Tom Farley’s book recalls the days that he and his brother spent growing up in a religious home in Madison, their days living in New York City, and Chris’ eventual downward spiral into addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Tom Farley presented his book in Eau Claire on Thursday at Memorial High School. While he told stories of his brother’s days on “Saturday Night Live,” he also wanted to make clear the seriousness of Chris Farley’s addiction.

In “The Chris Farley Show,” Tom Farley wanted to show his brother differently than how the media portrays him.

“This book shows Chris in a whole new light,” Farley said. “He was hysterically funny and everyone knows that, but he was also deeply religious and cared a lot for his family.”

Tom Farley recalled a road trip he and his brother took to Milwaukee many years ago.

“Before we could even get on the highway, Chris got out his rosary and prayed, he said it was ‘in God’s hands now,’ and then in true Chris fashion, took a swig of vodka and was set to go.”

UW-Eau Claire junior P.J. Hoff, a fan of Chris Farley, attended Tom Farley’s presentation.

“I really liked Tom Farley, he was very funny. It was really interesting hearing about Chris and the behind the scenes of ‘Saturday Night Live,'” he said.

After his brother’s death in 1997, Tom Farley started The Chris Farley Foundation, a place where drug and alcohol addicts can come and find help. Friends and family members of addicts can also go there for answers about how to get their loved one help.

Tom Farley’s appearance is a part of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival which took place from Thursday to Sunday. “This is a one of a kind type of festival,” said Bess Arneson, public relations representative for the L.E. Phillips Memorial Library. “It’s a really unique opportunity.”

Eau Claire community members had the chance to listen to all different types of authors, both local and national. While Farley headlined the book festival, other presentations included “Surviving with Poetry: Women on the Edge of Chemo.” Writers who have been through chemo therapy show how poetry helped them cope and can help others going through chemotherapy cope as well.

Another presentation included, “How Do You Like Your Murder: Cozy, Hardboiled, Or Somewhere in Between?” in which Eau Claire English professor Jon Loomis read from his mystery novel.

“This year’s festival is a little different than last year,” Arenson said. “I definitely think it is more fun. Last year a lot of topics focused on the war, but this year we have more fun topics like Tom Farley, the mystery readers and children’s literature.”