Celebration of Books, a celebration of readers
I wish Oklahoma had more book festivals, I always feel energized after attending. This weekend at Celebration of Books in Tulsa was no exception. Michael Cunningham and Sue Monk Kidd did an outstanding job of speaking at the opening night event. They both reminded us that reading is a way of seeing our connection with each other. Reading lets us have insight into another person as we take up residence in their skin, at least for a few 100 pages or so. Both were charming, intellectual and humble. The venue at the newly rennovated Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame was open and intimately inviting.
Of course during any event such as this, one person speaks to you louder than another. Michael Cunningham told a story about his days working as a bartender, getting to know the evening club hostess and her unexpected role in cementing his view of audience. Helen was a single parent with children to raise, two demanding jobs and a love of reading. Michael called her the “avid reader”. She would work all day, cook and raise childen but before going to sleep make an hour of time to read. They were talking books, she into the latest crime/mystery novel, he into much higher brow fare. He suggested, with the arrogance of youth, that she should try Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky.
About a week later, Helen proclaimed she liked Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment and he was better than the Follett she was reading but not as good as Scott Turow! Michael Cunningham said Helen was the reader he hoped he was writing for. One who has no pretension of what should be good or bad, but enjoys the story and the writing for the pleasure it brings.
It made me smile, because I’m just a reader, I come from a long line of Helens. While we’re never going to the pen the great novel, or attend Yale to hear Mr. Cunningham teach, we’re going to read his written words, and those of others with voracious enthusiasm. Thanks to the authors who remember we’re out there. Thank you Mr. Cunningham.
If you missed Michael Cunningham, please go to the Steven Barclay Agency website and check out all the videos.
I purchased at the Celebration his book Speciman Days, so here’s a short clip with Michael Cunningham discussing this title.
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Comments
Great post, Kitty! I, too, loved the message Kidd and Cunningham shared with the audience. And I think it was great that they both talked about the unique power of the novel, and that they didn’t even plan to be on the same page. It just happened. So refreshing to see such successful authors being humble, *and* appreciative of their readers.
I’ve read Cunningham’s A Home at the End of the World and The Hours. Both are great books. I own Specimen Days but I haven’t read it yet. And now, thanks to you, I have a copy of his latest work, By Nightfall. I’ve started it, and so far so good. Will post a review later…
Oh, Veahoe, you’ll have to wait until 2012 to attend the next Celebration of Books. It’s only every other year. Ugh!
What an absolutely wonderful essay, Kitty. Also enjoyed the interview with Cunningham. I went right to my keyboard and requested a copy of “The Hours” and “Specimen Days” from the library. Will try to be at next year’s Tulsa event. This year, it came at a time where I’m being spread rediculously-thin.
~vehoae
P.S. I’m ready for the first freeze, hmmm?