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Tune into the Tale
Editorial
March 27, 2003
You've been reading about him, possibly reading his book and attending
library discussions. Now, this weekend, you can meet the author of Peace
Like a River, Leif Enger. It is the culmination of ''A Tale for Three
Counties,'' the community reading project that has been unfolding in
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties over several weeks.
His first visit will be at 7 tonight at Richmond Memorial Library, where
he will read from his best-selling novel, talk about the book and the
writing process, and sign copies of his book. Librarian Leslie DeLooze
said all 140 reserved seat tickets have been given out, but people still
have a chance to view the event via closed-circuit television in the
Gallery Room.
Mr. Enger will also present his program at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina, at 7 p.m. Friday, and at Perry Elementary/Middle School, 50 Olin St., Perry, at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets aren't required at these venues.
Librarians did well in selecting Mr. Enger's book for this community. Mr. Enger was raised in Osakis, Minn., and still lives on a farm in that state with his wife and two sons. His rural roots show in the story. The setting of Peace Like a River in the Midwest and the Dakotas is different enough from Western New York to be intriguing, yet similar enough to strike a chord of understanding. We easily recognize the values at play, and want to see how conflicting values are resolved by the memorable characters Mr. Enger creates.
The book has a charm that makes it very appealing. It is a simple narrative blending ordinary and extraordinary events, the hard realities of life and the miracles we want to believe in. If you haven't read Peace Like a River yet, don't miss the chance to meet the author; you'll want to read his book later.
A similar program in Traverse City, Mich., attracted hundreds of people to author readings, book signing and other events. Interest here has been good, librarians say, in the three-county community's first reading project.
We'd like to welcome Mr. Enger and encourage people to come out and meet him. Focus for a few moments on Peace Like a River instead of war.
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Commentary Section
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation