True Believer
by Virginia Euwer Wolff
The Let’s Talk Ƶ It, Oklahoma book discussion series at OCU University continues with True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in Ƶ’s Walker Center Room 151.
The discussion series is titled “Young Adult Crossover Fiction: Crumbling Borders between Adolescents and Adults” and is made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council.
Luminous Wolff pens her novel in lines of free verse that capture the flow of feelings and thoughts running across the psyche of fifteen year old LaVaughn, determined to go to college and grow beyond the socioeconomic class she struggles within. Conflicts with girlfriends who try to escape the real feelings of emergent adolescence by retreating within a distortion of religious meaning add to her sense of isolation, and difficulties in the relationship with her friend Jody lead LaVaughn to challenge her self-confidence and question her identity. In spite of the emotional intensity of her strong relationship with her mother, she begins to lose her grip on reality and will have to decide if she believes in possibility, in the hope that she can remain resilient in the process of coming of age.
At each session in the five-part series, a humanities scholar makes a presentation on the book in the context of the theme. For this book, our speaker will be Dr. Harbour Winn. Small group discussions follow with experienced discussion leaders. At the end, all participants come together for a brief wrap-up.
Those who are interested in participating are encouraged to preregister and borrow the reading selections and theme brochure by calling Tracy Floreani at 405-208-5707, e-mailing her at [email protected] or dropping by the Dulaney-Browne Library room 211 or 207.
For more information call 405-208-5707, or e-mail [email protected]
UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS
* Feb. 21, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
* Mar. 7, Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid