MUSE Group Series Spring 2012

Book lovers searching for a place to discuss novels with students, faculty and community members will be given three opportunities to do so this semester at Kent State University at East Liverpool. The discussions are part of the campus’ MUSE group and will be on: Jan. 17, Feb. 21 and March 13. Each discussion starts at 6:30 p.m. and is held in the Dean’s conference room in the main classroom building.

IMAGE: Wench by Dolen Perkins- Valdez

The first novel to be discussed is Wench, by Dolen Perkins- Valdez. The story takes place at an idyllic resort in the Tawawa House in the free state of Ohio during the pre-civil war years. This bestselling novel showcases the lives of four women who are slaves and mistresses as they accompany their masters to the Tawawa House in an effort to escape the summer heat. The women each have their own unique story to tell as they support and love each other during three memorable summers. The Tawawa House actually existed in Ohio during the 1850’s and was eventually turned in to Wilberforce College.

IMAGE: Empire Falls by Richard Russo

February’s novel, which will be discussed on Feb. 21, is Pulitzer Prize winner Empire Falls by Richard Russo. This story depicts life in a decaying New England town. The book is centered around the life of Miles Robey, owner of the Empire Grill. Life proves to be extremely entertaining and interesting for Robey and his trouble making father, his teenage daughter, ex-wife and Mrs. Whiting, the matriarch of the Whiting family dynasty that the mill town was built around. The characters in this novel are laughable, lovable and definitely unforgettable.

IMAGE: The Known World by Edward P. Jones

Finishing out the Muse Group series is the novel The Known World by Edward P. Jones, which will be presented and discussed on March 13. This Pulitzer Prize Winner  was called a masterpiece for ‘overlapping plot lines, time shifts and heartbreaking details of life under slavery’ according to Amazon.com The Known World paints a picture of an old black farmer’s widow, Caldonia, who is stricken by grief at the loss of her husband.  . Caldonia finds that after the loss of her husband, their well-maintained plantation is falling apart.

The Muse Group discussions are free and open to the public, and all book lovers are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. For further information please contact the Campus Library at 330-382-7401.