After the First Death
by Robert Cormier
The Let’s Talk About It, ºìĞÓÖ±²¥app book discussion series at ºìĞÓÖ±²¥app City University will kick off with After the First Death by Robert Cormier at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 in Walker Center room 151.
The discussion series is titled “Young Adult Crossover Fiction: Crumbling Borders between Adolescents and Adults.†It is made possible through a grant from the ºìĞÓÖ±²¥app Humanities Council. Adolescent readers are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Through a richly textured narrative structure, Cormier juxtaposes the haunting parallels between two relational pairs: sixteen year old preppie Ben and his patriotic father General Marchand, who masterminds a secret anti-terrorist army project, and the terrorist teenager Miro and his mentor Artkin, who masterminds a brotherhood of freedom fighters trying to regain their homeland. The complex disguises and betrayals of trust are dramatized amidst the suspense of a hijacked school bus full of small children and their teenage bus driver, Kate, and the relationship that develops between Kate and Miro adds additional complexity and tension to the story.
At each session in the five-part series, a humanities scholar makes a presentation on the book in the context of the theme. For this book, our speaker will be Dr. Liz Willner. Small group discussions follow with experienced discussion leaders. At the end, all participants come together for a brief wrap-up.
Those who are interested in participating are encouraged to preregister and borrow the reading selections and theme brochure by calling Tracy Floreani at 405-208-5707, e-mailing her at [email protected] or dropping by the Dulaney-Browne Library room 211 or 207.
UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS
* Jan. 24, Monster by Walter Dean Myers
* Feb. 7, True Believer by Virginia Ewer Wolff
* Feb. 21, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
* Mar. 7, Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid