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2008 'Tale' selection explores timely topics
Jan. 12, 2008
Lifestyles/Extra
By Ben Beagle
bbeagle@batavianews.com
Read any good books lately?
Librarians in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties have a suggestion:
The Last Town on Earth by Thomas Mullen.
The author's debut novel is the timely and entertaining selection for
this year's "A Tale for Three Counties" community reading
project.
The beginning of the novel - a prologue and first chapter - are published
in a special section in today's editions of The Daily News.
"A Tale for Three Counties," organized the past six years
by a committee representing libraries in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming
counties, encourages readers to pick up the same book, discuss it and
then meet the author in a series of spring visits.
"We hope that readers will trust our judgment and try the selected
book each year. We intentionally choose books that are unlike what we
have read in the past and also choose ones that may 'stretch' a reader's
horizon," said Leslie DeLooze, the reference and community services
librarian at Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia, who has spearheaded
the project since its inception.
"One of the best parts of the program," she says, "is
finding 'the' book and then hearing that readers liked the selection."
The Last Town on Earth is set in 1918 in Commonwealth, Wash., a fictional
mill town conceived as a haven for workers weary of exploitation. For
16-year-old Philip Worthy, the adopted son of the town's founder, it
is also the first place in his life he's had a loving family to call
his own.
But the mist-shrouded forests are not as tranquil as they seem. The
surprising political repression and tense emotions regarding the U.S.
role in World War I and the fear of rampant spies has put the loyalty
of all Americans under scrutiny and threaten the town's ideals.
And still another shadow lurks: a strikingly virulent and often fatal
flu epidemic.
Mullen, in an interview after the "Tale" selection was revealed
in October, said his novel was inspired by an article he read a decade
ago. The article mentioned how some uninfected towns were so terrified
of what they heard about the flu that they tried to prevent outbreaks
by blocking roads leading to town and posting armed guards to prevent
anyone from entering or leaving the town.
That's what happens in Commonwealth. Then, a lost, starving traveler
begs two guards - one of them Philip, the other his friend Graham, who
is nine years older - for food and shelter. They find themselves unprepared.
Should they put themselves and the town at risk by helping him, or turn
him away to die in the woods?
Shots are fired, and the reverberations are deafening. Every human value
- love, patriotism, community, family, friendship - and the town's very
survival is imperiled.
"It raises so many questions that actually could be faced again
today," DeLooze said.
For a story set some 90 years ago, it is surprisingly contemporary.
"One of the things that has struck me this year is the 'timeliness'
of the book," says Mary Zangerle, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial
Library, Medina.
Zangerle noted recent concerns about MRSA, a tough-to-treat staph infection
that is resistent to many commonly-used antibiotics, and bird flu.
"With the MRSA scare this year and the cloud of an inevitable pandemic
looming it seems we've struck on a book that will generate a lot of
needed discussion," Zangerle said.
Readers will be able to share their thoughts at any of 18 book discussions,
which begin Feb. 16 at Wyoming Free Library and continue through a March
12 session at Genesee Community College.
Mullen is scheduled to visit for three talks and book signings: March
13 at Genesee Community College and Richmond Memorial Library, Batavia;
March 14 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Medina; and 2 p.m. at the Perry
Elementary/Middle School, 50 Olin Ave., Perry, a program hosted by Wyoming
County's public libraries.
"Most people love to read and then talk with others who have read
the same book," Zangerle said. "Books and discussion is a
winning combination."
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation