Book discussion series reimagines classic works of literature.

Thursday, November 03, 2022 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | Hanes House

Join us for "Retelling Stories," a new fall book discussion series led by SECCA executive director William Carpenter. For our next meeting, we'll discuss "A Thousand Acres" by Jane Smiley, inspired by Shakespeare's "King Lear." The event is free and open to the public.

"Retelling Stories" explores classic works of literature from different -- and often under-represented -- viewpoints. These novels give voice to the characters on the fringes of the original narratives, encouraging us to shift our attention to the contexts and subtexts of the original works. In these specific cases, the original works hold very privileged spots in Western culture, and the retellings help us consider how and why such privileging occurs. To read a classic through a new lens is to interrogate the social systems that bestow legitimacy and value.

Support our local book store by purchasing the book from Bookmarks, available here: https://www.bookmarksnc.org/secca-book-discussion

Make sure to mention SECCA's book club when checking out in-store at Bookmarks to get 20% off your book club purchase! For online orders, use discount code "20SECCA".

ABOUT THE BOOK

This powerful twentieth-century reimagining of Shakespeare's "King Lear" centers on a wealthy Iowa farmer who decides to divide his farm between his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his will. This sets off a chain of events that brings dark truths to light and explodes long-suppressed emotions. Ambitiously conceived and stunningly written, A Thousand Acres takes on themes of truth, justice, love, and pride—and reveals the beautiful yet treacherous topography of humanity.