john r. powers (november 30, 1945 – january 17, 2013) was an american novelist and playwright. powers wrote four books of fiction, "the last catholic in america" (dutton 1973), "do black patent leather shoes really reflect up?" (regnery 1975), "the unoriginal sinner and the ice cream god" (contemporary 1977), and "the junk drawer, corner store, front porch blues" (dutton 1992). he also wrote the self-help book "odditude" (hci 2007). these books relate his experience of growing up in 1950's chicago. john grew up in the mt. greenwood neighborhood on the city's far southwest side. the first three books, often referred to as the "eddie ryan trilogy," have been re-issued by loyola press.