Hutchinson
Public Library 901 N. Main Hutchinson, KS 67501

"World War II Generation" is the Fall TALK book discussion series through the Kansas Humanities Council.

3rd book in the series is THE GARDENS OF KYOTO by Kate Walbert. Discussion will be lead by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg of Lawrence. She is a Professor at Goddard College, Plainfield, VT and current Poet Laureate of Kansas.

“I had a cousin, Randall, killed on Iwo Jima. Have I told you?”

So begins Kate Walbert’s beautiful and heartbreaking novel about a young woman, Ellen, coming of age in the long shadow of World War II. Forty years later she relates the events of this period, beginning with the death of her favorite cousin, Randall., with whom she shared Easter Sundays, childhood secrets, and, perhaps, the first taste of love. When he dies on Iwo Jima, she turns to the legacy he left her: his diary and a book called THE GARDENS OF KYOTO. Each one subtly influences her perception of her place in the world, the nature of her memories.

Moving back and forth through time and place, Kate Walbert re-creates a world touched by the shadows of war and a society in which women fit their desires into prescribed roles. Unfolding in lyrical, seductive prose, THE GARDENS OF KYOTO becomes a mesmerizing exploration of the interplay of love and loss.

Contact Annette This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to sign up for the discussion.

About the discussion leader: Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg--

Caryn was the poet laureate of Kansas from 2009-2011 and is the author of ten books including four volumes of poetry, several anthologies, and non-fiction young adult books.Caryn teaches at Goddard College in Vermont through a low-residency program that allows full-fime living in Kansas. She leads writing workshops for many populations, particularly people living with serious illness. With singer Kelley Hunt, Caryn co-writes songs, performs colaboratively, and offers Brave Voice writing and singing workshops. She has been leading KHC TALK discussions since 1992.